Erdoğan hits out at Yeniden Refah without naming them: 'We will not allow those who try to walk in our shadow'

AKP President Erdoğan spoke at his party's rally in Malatya.

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"I express my gratitude to Malatya, which gave its support with 72 percent in the presidential election and 69 percent in the parliamentary election. You trusted us and did your part. We will work day and night to reciprocate this. Malatya has never left us alone in any of our struggles to date. We are honored to walk with Malatya in the construction of the Century of Turkey. The people of Malatya, as we know them, are principled. Would Malatya forgive those who are arm-in-arm with terrorists?

Would Malatya neglect those who ensure they walk with their heads held high in the world, those who work to ensure their flag always waves and their calls to prayer never cease? Would Malatya abandon those who give hope to their brothers and sisters who were shaken by the earthquake and buried many of their loved ones to embrace life again?

"70 THOUSAND ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES IDENTIFIED IN MALATYA"

Approximately 70 thousand eligible beneficiaries have been identified in Malatya. Last month, we delivered 6 thousand 181 completed residences to their rightful owners. The construction of 48 thousand 837 residences is still ongoing in our city. 32 thousand 583 of our Malatya brothers and sisters have applied for on-site transformation. Our Ministry of Environment and Urbanization is carrying out the square and workplace arrangements in the city center. We have provided 6 billion lira in additional support to our city for zoning and construction works. Our goal is to ensure all eligible beneficiaries have their homes and commercial buildings by the middle of next year. We are implementing various production facilities that will prepare our earthquake-stricken cities for the future. We plan to deliver 200 thousand residences to eligible beneficiaries in the earthquake zone. We will not stop until we erase all traces of the earthquake."

"PARTIES WORKING TO MAKE US LOSE HAVE EMERGED"

Turkey will elect the mayors, council members, and mukhtars who will manage its cities in the elections on March 31. As the People's Alliance, we are cooperating in this election as well. We do not debate the AKP's experience in municipalism with anyone. The friend who takes over the flag will work with all their might for their city until they hand over the trust to their successor. Such a change occurred in some of our districts in Malatya. We will stand by our brothers and sisters who are candidates for duty today in the same way. We have encountered such a scene in many provinces and districts of our country. Parties have emerged that work to make us lose by nominating our party's former mayors and deputies. Turkey is a free and democratic country. Anyone who wishes can engage in politics and become a candidate wherever they want. We are responsible for our own alliance and our own party, but we will not allow those who both work to make us lose and try to walk in our shadow with various insinuations. Our politics is a politics of works and services."

AKP Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala had noted the following regarding the Yeniden Refah Party:

Efkan Ala criticized the Yeniden Refah Party's decision to field candidates in the local elections, saying, "If the CHP is going to win, there is no point in being under the umbrella of an alliance." Ala also stated that the probability of the CHP winning has increased in places where the YRP has fielded candidates.