New statement from Özel on the 'azmanbüs' controversy in the Adalar: 'If you ask me, it's not right'

Özel visited the Adalar CHP District Presidency and the Adalar Municipality. Regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement on the collection of municipal debts, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said, "This is what it is; they are trying to make municipalities unable to provide services and then show them off, saying, 'Well, this is a CHP municipality.' These are cheap games." 

Meeting with Adalar Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat, Özel congratulated him on his election success. Meanwhile, a group of residents living in the Adalar gathered in front of the municipality to protest the minibuses brought to the Adalar by IETT.

Carrying banners that read, "The Adalar is a protected area, it does not accept the 'azmanbüs' on its roads," "The Adalar should not be urbanized," and "Why the insistence on 'azmanbüs' in pedestrian zones?", the group chanted slogans.

"WE SAID NOTHING THE ISLAND DOES NOT WANT WILL BE DONE"

Speaking to journalists after the visit, Özel stated that democracy is a regime of reaction and protest, and that they stand by the right to exercise democratic protest.

Explaining that they spoke with 4 representatives from the Island regarding the minibus issue, Özel said, "We said that nothing the Island does not want will be done. These vehicles, in the size you do not like, will be withdrawn as the pedestrian density on the Island decreases."

At this point, when the protesters shouted, "These vehicles are not suitable for the Island's roads," Özel replied, "But if you respect me, I respect you."

Özel noted that he understands the reactions, that there are mutual criminal complaints here, and that he has given instructions for these to be completely waived.

Regarding the vehicles, Özel said, "If you ask me, a vehicle of this size is not right for the Island. My friends are working on something smaller and more appropriate. It will happen in the coming period."

"WHICH AKP MUNICIPALITY HAS PAID ITS SGK DEBT?"

When asked about President Erdoğan's statement regarding the collection of municipal debts, Özel said, "Let Mr. Erdoğan tell us which AK Party municipality has paid its debt to the SGK (Social Security Institution). All the municipalities we took over from them have not paid any debt for at least the last five years. Now, the AK Party municipality will provide services with the money that should be deposited into the SGK, and then we will pay the money they didn't pay to the SGK and used for themselves. The nation already gave us 412 municipalities because they are fed up with this mentality. Can there be such a double standard? Which AK Party municipality has paid its SGK debt to date?"

Continuing his criticisms, Özel added:

"He says, 'I will deduct the municipalities' receivables from their money.' This is what it is; they are trying to make municipalities unable to provide services and then show them off, saying, 'Well, this is a CHP municipality.' These are cheap games. Let him do that; let him come and deduct the money we will use for services from the AK Party municipality's debt, or deduct their previous SGK debts, and prevent us from providing services. I will go out to every square and explain how Mr. Erdoğan is resorting to this game out of fear that his own incompetent administration will change, and to strip CHP members of their management competence. I will say, 'He cannot lower inflation. We are coming to power. To prevent us from coming, he is trying to tie the hands of our municipalities, impoverish them, and make them unable to pay salaries or collect trash.' Let Recep Tayyip Erdoğan know this; we will collect that trash with our own hands, all of us CHP members... We will still not surrender to his games and blackmail."

Stating that the nation is counting the days, Özel said, "Instead of learning from the election results and fulfilling what the citizens want, he is being stubborn and preventing us from providing services. The citizens see these things. Just as it was to forcibly take the mandate from Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was elected by the decision of the citizens in Istanbul, it is the same thing to seize the money of an elected mayor and prevent them from providing services. Last time, he carried out a judicial coup through the YSK (Supreme Election Council). He said to us, 'I will strike an Ottoman slap,' and he received a democracy slap. Now he will carry out a financial coup. He will receive a new democracy slap. I will explain it in every square, on every street. He should not dare to attempt such a thing."

HE SPOKE ABOUT THE REGULATION ON STRAY DOGS

When asked about President Erdoğan's statements regarding the stray animal issue, Özel noted the following:

"I have been saying since the first day that this is not a lesson in compassion, but a problem of stray animals. I am extremely worried about this evolving into a class issue. There is a problem that the children of the wealthy, those who go to school by shuttle, and those who live in protected areas do not see, but which bothers other citizens, and the issue of some being insensitive and some being sensitive is a social fault line. The solution to this problem can never, ever be murder or massacre. The work to be done is clear. We will provide shelters, neutering, and adoption. Period. We will not commit murder. The only thing that needs to be done for this is the budget. The relevant committee of the Parliament has determined the way for the budget; the Animal Rights Fund. It will be deducted from horse racing, Spor Toto, Loto, and the National Lottery, an Animal Rights Fund will be established, and this problem will end."

Pointing out that the AK Party and MHP have signatures on the proposal report regarding the establishment of the fund, Özel said, "Let them stand behind their words, let us solve the problem. When a dog attacks an innocent child tomorrow, the person responsible will be this government, which pretends to solve the problem but does not let it be solved. The solution must be humane and respectful of animal rights. We are here. If we are burdened with a responsibility we cannot fulfill, we will go out and explain it to the citizens."

"WE ARE TEFLON ON THIS ISSUE"

When asked about the emergence of reference lists regarding appointments at the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB) and the fact that his name and the names of some CHP administrators and notes were on these lists, Özel replied, "I have no knowledge of the reference list, but whoever applies to me, I report them not only to the TBB but to all our administrators. There is nothing more natural than this. My brother has been unemployed for six years, and I have not stooped to placing him in any municipality, God forbid. My deputies have unemployed siblings and spouses, and we have not stooped to it. AK Party-style labels do not stick to us. We are Teflon on this issue."

When asked about allegations that former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's words, "We will not shake hands with the person in the palace, we will fight if necessary," were directed at him, Özel noted the following:

"Why should I take Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu's assessments personally? At the beginning of my speech, I said this; Sheikh Edebali's testament is not for the opposition, but for the government. The first party is responsible for Turkey's polarization, for not shaking hands, and for not talking. For 22 years, he did not do this; he did not even shake hands at Anıtkabir. Isn't this remark for Erdoğan? Say this. I said, 'I became the first party on March 31, so I took the step.' CHP is now the ruling party in the eyes of the public. We will do the things that befit the first party. Mr. Kemal was never the leader of the first party. He wanted it very much, we worked very hard, but it didn't happen. If it had, he would have done what I said. We did not become like those who are the first party like Tayyip Erdoğan and do not shake the hand of the second party."

When asked about the "AK Party-CHP coalition" allegations, Özel stated that there was no possibility of an alliance, coalition, or unity with the AK Party before the elections, that they would negotiate and debate on national, important issues and in solving citizens' problems, but that he does not see himself as having a mandate that the nation did not give, and that this is the MHP's job.

News Source: AA