The reason behind Erdoğan's 'Radish in the Saddlebag' insistence revealed: How does the AKP interpret the operations?
It has drawn attention that President Erdoğan continued to use the phrase 'radish in the saddlebag'—which he first uttered before the operations targeting Ekrem İmamoğlu—even after İmamoğlu's arrest. According to information from Ankara's political circles, the strategy behind Erdoğan's persistence with this rhetoric is to create a rift within the opposition. Here are the details...
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While the operations against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu have caused a major stir in public opinion, the rhetoric of President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding the process continues to be debated.
The fact that Erdoğan continued to use the “radish in the bag” analogy—which he used before İmamoğlu’s arrest—even after the arrest has raised the question of whether it signals further operations.
The process, which began with the cancellation of the diploma İmamoğlu earned 35 years ago, continued with his detention and subsequent arrest and transfer to Silivri Prison.
While there were assessments in the public sphere that the operations were what Erdoğan meant by the “radish in the bag” expression, his continued use of the same phrase after İmamoğlu’s arrest has brought the question of whether there will be new moves to the forefront.
ANKARA POLITICAL CIRCLES: STRATEGY TO DIVIDE THE OPPOSITION
Journalist Nuray Babacan shared information she received from AKP circles in her column in Nefes Gazetesi. According to Babacan, it is claimed that there is currently no plan within the ruling wing to appoint a trustee to the CHP or the İBB. However, it is stated that the effort to create a rift in the opposition bloc lies behind Erdoğan’s continued use of the “radish in the bag” rhetoric.
Especially after the opposition gave a joint response following İmamoğlu’s arrest, it led Erdoğan to change his rhetorical strategy. It is interpreted that the ruling power is developing such rhetoric to prevent the opposition from acting as a whole and to bring different views within the CHP to the surface.
AKP STRUGGLES TO DEFEND THE OPERATIONS
On the other hand, the fact that the AKP administration is struggling to explain the İmamoğlu operations to the public is also among the main topics discussed in political circles. According to what Babacan conveyed, the ruling wing resorts to a uniform defense text when explaining this process.
In this text, the phrases “What is happening has nothing to do with democratic rights. It is aimed at fighting corruption. This is the CHP’s own internal problem, and it was CHP members who were uncomfortable and reported it” are used. However, it is stated that this rhetoric is struggling to find traction in public opinion.