First statement from CHP mayor who met with President Erdoğan: 'I will meet with him whenever he wants'
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated in his remarks today that a CHP district mayor had been summoned to the Presidential Palace by President Erdoğan and invited to join the AKP. Yüreğir Mayor Ali Demirçalı, a member of the CHP, has issued a statement regarding the meeting.
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Özel stated that the mayor had informed him both when he was summoned and after the meeting, saying, "I couldn't believe my eyes. 'I have a congress in February, will you join us?' Imagine, the head of state asking a mayor who is a true son of a party, 'Will you join me at the congress I'm holding? I will pave the way for you, I will do this, I will do that...' And then, in parentheses, making threats like, 'I know you are a clean man, that's why I'm calling you, but they might smear you, God forbid,' and so on. And having him picked up in a civilian car and taken to the palace. Is this appropriate? The one who does that there is the one making this happen here. This is the picture of exhaustion for you, Tayyip Erdoğan," he said.
It was learned that the mayor who met with Erdoğan last week was Yüreğir Mayor Ali Demirçalı.
According to the information obtained, Demirçalı politely expressed to Erdoğan during the meeting that "the CHP is his ancestral home."
Responding to questions on the subject, Demirçalı confirmed what CHP Chairman Özgür Özel had expressed at the press conference, stating that the meeting took place last week.
"I WILL MEET WITH OUR PRESIDENT WHENEVER HE WANTS"
Demirçalı said, "I thought a general discussion about Adana would take place. Our President welcomed us with courtesy. I informed the Headquarters and our esteemed Chairman before and after the meeting. I will meet with our President whenever he wants," he stated.
When reminded of the reports that he was invited to join the AKP, Demirçalı said, "I am in my own home in the CHP. I will continue to engage in politics within the Republican People's Party."