Statement on AKP from Mayor Budak, who resigned from CHP: 'Whichever side the majority is on...'

Göle Mayor Gökhan Budak, who resigned from the CHP, addressed claims that he would join the AKP by stating, "I will consult with the people of Göle; I will act alongside whoever the majority supports."

Following the recent resignations of Aydın Metropolitan Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu and three district mayors, another departure has occurred within the CHP.

Gökhan Budak, the mayor of the Göle district in Ardahan, announced that he has resigned from his party.

Budak explained the reason for his resignation by saying, "It is my desire to serve my people more freely and more effectively."

Following the resignation, rumors emerged that Budak would join the AKP. Speaking to TV100, Budak stated that he is currently independent and will remain so for a while.

Gökhan Budak used the following expressions: 

"I am currently independent; I will remain independent, but I do not want to do anything without consulting the people of Göle. I will act alongside whoever the majority supports."

I did not sell out my party. To this day, the sentence 'I am joining the AK Party' has not come out of my mouth. I said I would remain independent for a while."

However, during the time I remain independent, I will consult with the people of Göle; I am obligated to do whatever they command me to do." 

Gökhan Budak argued that his verbal and written requests for 'investment' were not answered, stating, "I returned empty-handed from the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and every municipality I visited."