Major backlash against figure who switched from CHP to AKP: 'Give our votes back'

In the Seydişehir district of Konya, Hasan Ustaoğlu, who was elected Mayor of Seydişehir from the Republican People's Party (CHP) in the March 31, 2019 local elections, announced recently that he has joined the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Ustaoğlu announced his transition to the AKP at a ceremony attended by President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Thus, the Seydişehir Municipality, which had passed to the CHP after a 30-year hiatus, has returned to the AKP.

INSPECTOR AUDITS AND ALLEGATIONS OF IRREGULARITY

While it is alleged that inspectors are continuing their audits into various allegations of irregularity in the municipal administration, claims that Ustaoğlu's move to the AKP was made to secure himself have been on the agenda. Furthermore, an audit report that emerged regarding personal expenses made from the municipal treasury was recorded as a document supporting these allegations.

SEYDİŞEHİR PUBLIC PROTESTS IN FRONT OF MUNICIPALITY

Led by the CHP Seydişehir district organization, the people of Seydişehir gathered in front of the municipal building to protest Ustaoğlu's departure from the CHP and his joining of the ruling party. The crowd expressed their reaction by chanting slogans such as "Ustaoğlu resign," "Give our votes back," and "May our votes be forbidden to you."

"THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE HAS BEEN USURPED"

Making a statement during the protest, CHP Seydişehir District Chairman Orhan Özel harshly criticized Hasan Ustaoğlu for leaving his party to join the ruling party. Stating that the will of the people has been usurped, Özel said:

“A municipality won after 30 years has been usurped by an individual's petty calculations. This square is a witness to your struggle. Under the leadership of our Chairman Özgür Özel, we will continue this struggle and we will not let anyone steal the will of the people of Seydişehir. We do not accept this attitude of the mayor.”

CRITICISM FROM CHP'S BEKTAŞ

CHP Konya Deputy Barış Bektaş also found Ustaoğlu's transition to the AKP ethically and morally unacceptable. Asking Ustaoğlu, "How will you face the public?" Bektaş made the following statements:

“What has been done is not right, it is not moral. We all have a great sense of disappointment. We asked for votes for the mayor, and you voted as well. How will he defend what he has done now? It is not the CHP district organization that needs to apologize, it is Hasan Ustaoğlu. Leaving the party by saying, 'I have this many votes,' is not the right behavior.”

Following Ustaoğlu's transition to the AKP, Bektaş said, “The people of Seydişehir, who possess intellectual depth, do not accept this situation. There will be elections again in 3.5 years, and this move will not sit well with the public.” Furthermore, pointing out that a politician's greatest asset is their reputation, Bektaş expressed his criticisms by saying, “People should be able to walk among the public with confidence. Now, how will Hasan Ustaoğlu face the public?”