MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli targets 'İmamoğlu' in earthquake message: The last years of Istanbul have been squandered

In his statement on his social media account, Bahçeli emphasized that there was no loss of life or property in the earthquake, stating, "Our fellow citizens in Istanbul should be at ease and not panic."

Devlet Bahçeli used the following expressions in his statement:

"The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the depths of the Marmara Sea around noon today has naturally worried our nation and caused fear for everyone.

Apart from an abandoned building that collapsed in Istanbul's Fatih district, our consolation is that there was no loss of life or property in this tragic natural disaster.

Shortly after the earthquake occurred, I had the opportunity to receive satisfactory information about the developments by calling our Minister of Interior, Mr. Ali Yerlikaya. Our state has practically gone on alert, and our relevant ministers and bureaucrats have intensified their efforts in Istanbul in coordination. I thank them all.

An earthquake is a reality of both life and the geography we live on that we cannot neglect or deny. We have no choice but to make our future plans in accordance with this reality; to act cautiously, carefully, meticulously, and vigilantly.

Istanbul is the lifeblood of our Turkey, its primary cause. The safety and well-being of this largest Turkish city in the world is also the guarantee of our country's survival. Unfortunately, the last years of Istanbul have been squandered and wasted. Those who neglected their duties as mayor for the sake of daily political polemics, personal ambition, and rent-seeking have knowingly surrendered Istanbul to a vortex of risk, threat, and danger. We have time, but it is decreasing day by day. Urban transformation must be ensured rapidly. Social awareness for earthquake preparedness is of historical value. Acting with a spirit of mobilization for the defense and preservation of Istanbul is an acute necessity. It is possible to overcome potential disasters through state-nation solidarity, and furthermore, by entrusting Istanbul to those who are competent and deserving. From now on, the number one agenda of Istanbul must be the earthquake.

God forbid, but remaining under the weight of this agenda will hang our national existence, economic power, social peace, and the indivisible integrity of the state with its country and nation by a thread, and will lead to devastating consequences.

The Nationalist Movement Party and the People's Alliance will work with all their might to protect Istanbul from the disastrous consequences of natural disasters and to take proactive measures, and hopefully, they will be successful.

Our fellow citizens in Istanbul should be at ease and not panic. My prayer to God is that we are safe from what we fear and that we attain what we hope for.

I convey my get-well wishes to our beloved Istanbul and our citizens in Istanbul. I wish a speedy recovery to our citizens who were injured during the earthquake.

It is near for the forgotten and abandoned Istanbul to be replaced by an Istanbul that is developing, growing, and achieving security.

Bugün öğle saatlerinde Marmara Denizi’nin derinliklerinde 6,2 büyüklüğünde meydana gelen deprem elbette milletimizi endişelendirmiş ve herkesi korkuya sevk etmiştir.

İstanbul Fatih’te yıkılan metruk bir bina dışında tesellimiz elim doğal afette can ve mal kaybının…

— Devlet Bahçeli (@dbdevletbahceli) April 23, 2025

News Source: 12punto