Minister Yumaklı's statement on 'hobby gardens' that caused a crisis at the AKP MKYK: They will never be granted legal status

According to claims reflected in the corridors, Gökçek argued that the demolition of illegal structures would harm the party, stating, "The political cost will be heavy. Citizens whose homes we demolish will not vote for us." It was alleged that Minister Yumaklı responded to these remarks by saying, "You are not speaking correctly, Osman. We also walk the streets and markets. There is a view in the exact opposite direction of what you are saying."

Following this tension, it was stated that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had instructed that a study be conducted to re-evaluate the political and legal dimensions of the issue.

"There is no such thing as a hobby garden, there are illegal structures"

While there were rumors circulating in the public that luxury villa-type structures built on agricultural land would be demolished but smaller-scale structures might be excluded from the scope, Minister Yumaklı emphasized that no flexibility would be shown.

In his statement on the matter, Yumaklı said, "There is no such thing as a hobby garden, there are illegal structures. Hobby gardens will never be granted legal status."

Stating that the structures in question will not gain legal status under any circumstances, Yumaklı expressed that demolition operations will continue with determination.

'Melih Gökçek' claim from Özgür Özel

The issue continues to find echoes on different fronts of politics. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in his speech at a program he held in Sakarya on April 26, claimed that former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek has his own villas in areas with "hobby garden" status. Özel alleged that this situation was the real reason behind AKP Deputy Osman Gökçek's opposition to the demolition regulation in question.