It had been the talk of the town for days: CHP mayor rumored to be joining AKP breaks his silence

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras responded on his social media account to the claims brought up in national and local media in recent days that he would "join the AKP."

CHP's Aras stated that the allegations in question have no basis and called on citizens, saying, "Do not give credence to these lies with clear ulterior motives."

Including a photo of himself taken with an elderly woman in traditional clothing in his post, Aras used the expression, "The Ahmet Aras you know, recognize, and trust will not mislead you."