Hobby garden crisis in AKP: Yumaklı and Gökçek face off! 'Osman, you are not speaking the truth...'

A regulation within the AKP involving the demolition of hobby gardens and heavy sanctions has brought disagreements within the party leadership to the surface. At the center of the debate was a heated dialogue between Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı and AKP Ankara Deputy Osman Gökçek.

TENSION ROSE AT THE MEETING

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presided over the AKP Central Decision and Administrative Board meeting, where the plan regarding construction on agricultural land was brought to the agenda. During the discussions, harsh expressions were exchanged between Minister Yumaklı and Osman Gökçek.

TENSION BETWEEN GÖKÇEK AND YUMAKLI

According to Sözcü; Yumaklı argued that structures built on agricultural land must be removed. Opposing this, Gökçek said, "We will lose our votes by the bucketload here; I am visiting the markets and citizens are complaining about this issue." Yumaklı replied, "Osman, you are not speaking the truth; I am also visiting markets and I am receiving complaints in that direction." Gökçek continued his objection, stating, "It is wrong to demolish citizens' homes 1.5 years before the election; I have no personal concerns."

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE REGULATION?

The study, known in the public eye as the "hobby garden regulation," includes the removal of structures such as houses, bungalows, and tiny houses built on agricultural land. Furthermore, it is planned to increase the fines to be applied to the owners of such structures to up to 250 times their current level.

CONCERN OVER "VOTE LOSS" WITHIN THE PARTY

The regulation, which has caused controversy even before reaching the parliamentary committee stage, has created unease not only in the public eye but also within the party. It is being discussed in the lobbies that voters living in rural areas and on the outskirts of cities, in particular, may react to this regulation.

In internal party evaluations, it was stated that the regulation in question was also conveyed to President Erdoğan with the warning that "we will lose votes." Following these warnings, it is reported that instructions were given to rework the regulation.

News Source: 12punto