Özgür Özel speaks from Yalova: Those who have something to hide are the ones who scurry off to the AK Party

Speaking at the rally, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said, "I am addressing Tayyip Erdoğan. He went to Aydın today. Do you know Aydın? He went to see that 'Efe who scurries away.' Mr. Tayyip, you are in a warm hall in Aydın, in cold weather, you have packed the hall; you are ranting and raving from there. I am calling out from here: Mr. Tayyip, man of the salons, do you see Yalova Square? I am speaking to everyone with a conscience. I am speaking to the voters of the AK Party and the MHP. On Tuesday, the Aziz İhsan Aktaş trial will begin in Istanbul, in Silivri. This person is being tried for 700 years. He himself is not in custody, but the managers of the municipalities he worked for are in prison. Zeydan Karalar, who is being tried for 4 years, is in prison. 

Again, the mayors of Adana, Kadir and Oya, who are being tried for 4–6 years, are in prison. All our friends are in prison. But the head of the organization is not in custody. He says, 'I am the one who founded the organization,' but they release him because he 'became a confessor,' and they gather the people. The Aydın Metropolitan Municipality is the one most mentioned in these confessions, the one with the most actions, and the most tenders. Now, when the 'scurrying Efe' of Aydın—whom he sits with today and even praises for practicing social municipalism—saw the statement of Aziz İhsan Aktaş and had the invoice paid on his behalf placed in front of him, and was told, 'Alas, you will either join the AK Party or be thrown into Silivri,' he ran off to the AK Party. I declare it clearly from here: We have no accounts that cannot be given. Those who have accounts that cannot be given are the ones who scurry off to the AK Party. The file contains the most allegations against the Aydın Metropolitan Municipality. There is the most work for them. But Erdoğan, who transfers people by saying, 'If you come to my party, I will save you from the court,' has come out there today and is lying as if none of this has happened," he said.

Reminding that three police officers were martyred during an operation against the terrorist organization ISIS, Özgür Özel said, "Unfortunately, three of our police officers were martyred while an operation was being carried out against members of the terrorist organization ISIS. We commemorate İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk, and Yasin Koçyiğit with mercy and gratitude. We offer our condolences to Yalova once again."

Stating that they are closely following the investigation into the incident, Özel said, "Of course, we are following the investigation in all its dimensions. We attach extreme importance to ensuring that the mistakes made are not repeated and that the lives of our children are not lost for nothing. The children of our martyrs are entrusted first to our state, our nation, and then to us," he said.

Commemorating journalist and author Uğur Mumcu, Özel said, "Today is January 24, one of the dates when our hearts are hit the hardest. I came here from the commemoration ceremony in Ankara at 13:30. We lost Uğur Mumcu on that day when he dropped his glasses, which he used to see the unseen, and his pen, which he used to write the unwritten, onto the snow in Ankara on a snowy day, so that we might see."

Özel said, "Back then, just like the ISIS villains of today, dark centers and those who paved the way for them had caused us to lose Uğur Mumcu, who defended Republican values, embraced its revolutions, and fought for the exposure of certain structures within the state."

Özel also commemorated former Diyarbakır Police Chief Gaffar Okkan, former Foreign Minister İsmail Cem, and artist Fatma Girik on the anniversaries of their deaths.

"We came to protect the ballot box"

Evaluating the rally in Yalova, Özel said, "It surprises some people that this square is filled with such a historic crowd when there is no election atmosphere. We came here to seek justice, to object, to raise our voices, to stand against all kinds of injustices, the injustices done to retirees, the things done to laborers, the future anxieties of our people of all ages, and without a doubt, to protect the right to vote and be elected, which this country has possessed since the Republic and has never let go of. We came to Yalova to resist, to struggle, and to take action against the coup attempt of today's President against tomorrow's President," he said.

Reminding of the 2014 local elections, Özel said, "I remember that night when we won Yalova by 6 votes as if it were yesterday. The next day, I got a call from Muharrem İnce, who said, 'They are going to repeat the elections in Yalova, you will come to Yalova too, and we will work together.'" Stating that he stayed in Yalova for five days and six nights between the two elections, Özel recalled that the 6-vote margin increased to 228 votes through the organization's struggle.

Stating that they won Yalova again in the 2019 local elections, Özel said, "The intolerant ones embarked on new conspiracies. Despite the crime our mayor reported himself, they removed our mayor and dear Vefa Salman from office and hastily declared an AK Party municipal council member as mayor." Özel stated, "The expert report came in our favor three times. And they said, 'The mayor should be reinstated.' But the order came from above, they didn't do it. It came a second time, they still didn't reinstate him. It came a third time, they still didn't reinstate him." Özel continued his speech as follows:

Özel to Erdoğan: If you are stubborn with the nation, the nation will teach you a lesson at the ballot box

They forced the election, and in an election they did not win, they had Yalova governed until 2024 by someone Yalova did not choose. Then what happened? Yalova gave it with 6 votes, you didn't understand. It gave it with 228 votes, you didn't understand. It gave it again, you didn't understand. We said, 'This time you will understand.' We made Mehmet Gürel the mayoral candidate. We entrusted him to Yalova. He became mayor with the vote of one in two people. I am reminding Mr. Tayyip once again from here. This beautiful, this tiny, this cute Yalova is a lesson in democracy. If you are stubborn with the nation, the nation will teach you a lesson at the ballot box.

Now Bayrampaşa, they took a place they couldn't win through games. They are taking a place they couldn't win in Gaziosmanpaşa with the Yalova tactic. Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe has been waiting for an indictment for 8 months. Those who write indictments for thousands of people cannot write one for 8 months, 9 months because of one person. Why? If they wrote it, it would be clear that there is no crime. There is nothing to write. He would return to duty. Mr. Tayyip spoke on the phone about the incompetence in Gaziosmanpaşa... 'Congratulations, you took Gaziosmanpaşa.' He says, 'We took it, my leader, thank you. I kiss your hands.' I am saying to the national will thieves and national will pickpockets in Gaziosmanpaşa: Leader, power is not gained by kissing hands, but by entering the hearts of the nation.

In Bayrampaşa, our retired teacher won the election like a lion. As many municipal council members as the margin in the municipal council are being arrested. Those inside are resigning out of spite. Three more are being arrested. Unheard-of offers, pressures, unimaginable filth, bag games, lottery tricks to people enough to cover the difference; we are still winning, getting them overturned by the court... In their minds, they will seize the will of Bayrampaşa. I am telling Mr. Tayyip from here: Whatever happened in Yalova will happen in Bayrampaşa and Gaziosmanpaşa too. What the nation says will happen.

"Reserve area plans were determined. Zoning plans were made accordingly. The urban transformation request was submitted, they did not accept it"

Mayor Mehmet has been in office for 21 months. They are working day and night, they want to provide service to Yalova. 12,600 tons of hot asphalt have been laid. Bicycle paths have been built. Two city restaurants have been built. Free bus services have been provided to the Training and Research Hospital. Two family health centers have been built. The Employment Office has placed 630 people in jobs in 1.5 years. 14 tons of certified seeds have been distributed free of charge to Yalova farmers. A Natural Life Center has been put into service for our street animals. The necessary protocols have been made. The restoration of the Walking Mansion, the legacy and heritage of our Ancestor, is starting soon.

In the earthquake zone of Yalova, facilitating practices were put into effect to accelerate urban transformation. A master plan was created. Reserve area plans were determined. Zoning plans were made accordingly. Our municipality turned around and submitted this request for urban transformation, but they did not accept it. A massive signature campaign was carried out for urban transformation. 25,000 households signed and it was sent. They are still not making a sound here. On the other side, there is Murat Kurum who does not hear this sound.

"This nation wants urban transformation against earthquakes"

Murat Kurum will also say, 'The Chairman goes somewhere every Saturday. He makes them boo me where he goes.' Honestly, Mr. Murat, the 'M' of Murat Kurum came out of my mouth in Hatay, and the nation started. I haven't said anything here yet. I said, 'Urban transformation, Murat Kurum.' Look what they said. I don't make anyone boo anyone in politics, I try to ensure it doesn't happen, but if there is a reaction while the words are still coming out of our mouths... This city knows the earthquake from 1999. It knows the importance of urban transformation. This nation wants urban transformation against earthquakes. The mayors have done their part. The nation has signed, they want urban transformation. Murat Kurum, the reason for this reaction to you is that you are involving this in politics. This is my call to Murat Kurum from here: Pave the way for Yalova's urban transformation. Do not be the cause of a new disaster.

"Hatay residents describe Murat Kurum as 'Blank Check Murat'"

Hatay residents describe Mr. Murat as 'Blank Check Murat.' Last week, under the rain, he is holding it in his hand, 'Blank Check Murat.' Who is this, I said, is this a loan shark, what is this? 'Honestly,' they said, 'He is worse than a loan shark, they came on our most difficult day. They said, 'We will finish the earthquake houses within a year.' They said, 'Give us your vote, see, you will be in your homes in a year.' We gave the vote, a year later they could only finish 2% of the houses. 2 years later they could finish 30%. 3 years later they could finish 70%. They are bragging about this. I stayed in a container for 3 years. I stayed under the rain and mud. Now my house is finished. You say, 'Give me the key,' and they push a blank check in front of you. What are they saying? 'If you don't sign the blank check, I won't give you the key.' There are two blank spaces in the contract. One, the money part; it is not clear what I will pay. Two, the interest rate; it is not clear what they will write.

"I am calling out to 'Blank Check' Murat Kurum from here. Hatay has been waiting for an answer for a week"

Normally, the Disaster Law does not accept interest. But they found a place. If it's a reserve area, there's interest. If it's on-site transformation, there's interest. If it's not a house, if it's a shop, there's interest. If it's TOKİ, there's interest. They bring a check with interest. Lawyers told the earthquake victim, 'Cross out the interest part, then sign.' When they cross it out, they snatch the paper from in front of them and give them a new one. You will either sign a blank check or you cannot get the house. I am calling out to both Murat Kurum and Erdoğan from here. Announce how much will be charged for TOKİ residences, residences built in the reserve area, and shops for tradesmen. Say that no interest or CPI increase will be taken from any of these payments. I said it in Hatay a week ago. Those who tweet about every subject immediately did not make a sound. We said, 'Come on, say something.' Murat Kurum tweeted. He is twisting the words. He doesn't say, 'No interest,' 'That place will not remain empty.' I am calling out to 'Blank Check' Murat Kurum from here. Hatay has been waiting for an answer for a week.

I am calling out to Tayyip Erdoğan. He went to Aydın today. Do you know Aydın? He went to see that 'Efe who scurries away.' Mr. Tayyip, you are in a warm hall in Aydın, in cold weather, you have packed the hall; you are ranting and raving from there. I am calling out from here: Mr. Tayyip, man of the salons, do you see Yalova Square? I am speaking to everyone with a conscience. I am speaking to the voters of the AK Party and the MHP. On Tuesday, the Aziz İhsan Aktaş trial will begin in Istanbul, in Silivri. This person is being tried for 700 years. He himself is not in custody, but the managers of the municipalities he worked for are in prison. Zeydan Karalar, who is being tried for 4 years, is in prison. Again, the mayors of Adana, Kadir and Oya, who are being tried for 4–6 years, are in prison. All our friends are in prison. But the head of the organization is not in custody. He says, 'I am the one who founded the organization,' but they release him because he 'became a confessor,' and they gather the people.

"Those who have something to hide are the ones who scurry off to the AK Party"

The Aydın Metropolitan Municipality is the one most mentioned in these confessions, the one with the most actions, and the most tenders. Now, when the 'scurrying Efe' of Aydın—whom he sits with today and even praises for practicing social municipalism—saw the statement of Aziz İhsan Aktaş and had the invoice paid on his behalf placed in front of him, and was told, 'Alas, you will either join the AK Party or be thrown into Silivri,' he ran off to the AK Party. I declare it clearly from here: We have no accounts that cannot be given. Those who have accounts that cannot be given are the ones who scurry off to the AK Party. The file contains the most allegations against the Aydın Metropolitan Municipality. There is the most work for them. But Erdoğan, who transfers people by saying, 'If you come to my party, I will save you from the court,' has come out there today and is lying as if none of this has happened.

"The AK Party is dragging its feet on these matters in Yalova, just as it is in Ankara. It is not building a dam"

Now, as the Republican People's Party, let me express this: We stand behind our mayor's efforts regarding urban transformation and your demands. There is a water problem in Yalova. In recent months, a sabotage, a terrorist attack was carried out on Yalova's drinking water; a great struggle was waged regarding this. There were even those who tried to exploit this. The water level of the Gökçe Dam in Yalova has dropped below 10 percent. A second dam needs to be built. But there is not a peep from the AKP, which is supposed to build the dam. The AK Party is dragging its feet on these matters in Yalova, just as it is in Ankara. It is not building a dam. And they have come out, they are almost praying for it not to rain, not for rain, but for 'no rain.' So that it doesn't rain, there is a drought, there isn't enough water in Ankara, there isn't enough water in Istanbul, there isn't enough water in Yalova, and the nation gets angry at the CHP. We are aware of both our responsibilities and what the AK Party is not doing. But I am saying it from here: You will wait a long time. We will not embarrass our nation in Yalova, in Ankara, or in Istanbul. Whether you burst or explode, we are successful in local governments, and we will be successful in Turkey too. It is not enough.

"If you are going to bring water to a city, if you are going to build a dam, you will put money into the investment budget"

Give us the MUSKİ facilities on the Nacaklı stream, they won't give them. There are facilities belonging to third parties on the Elmalı stream, they won't remove them. In 1998, when Demirel was President and Mesut Yılmaz was Prime Minister, the foundation of the Armutlu road was laid. They haven't finished it for 24 years. The Etibank facilities in Çiftlikköy were damaged in the 1999 earthquake. The AK Party came and took it through the SDIF. They haven't driven a nail since that day, they left it to rot. Building a dam, storing water, and bringing it to cities is the job of the central government, and distributing it is the job of the municipalities. It doesn't suit Mr. Tayyip's interests. He says this as if it were your job, but on the other hand, the responsibility for the dam investment is obvious. If you are going to bring water to a city, if you are going to build a dam, you will put money into the investment budget. The resource allocated for drinking water is 1.2 percent. They allocated 12.5 billion liras. Last year, they only spent 752 million of this money, 10 percent. 90 percent is still there.

"Under our government, all resources are mobilized for the nation"

The ruling party has used only 10 percent of even the 1.5 percent money it allocated. Municipalities have made 129 billion liras of investment in the last year. That is 170 times what the central government has done. While 752 million was spent on water in the public sector, 87 billion liras were spent on public buildings, buildings where they will enjoy themselves. There is a government that does not even spend the small amount of money it allocated, saying, 'The CHP already took the municipalities. If I build a dam, if I do work for drinking water, they will blame it on the CHP,' and says, 'Bringing water is the job of CHP municipalities.' I am saying it clearly from here, from Yalova: Under our government, all resources are mobilized for the nation. We have not embarrassed the nation until today. However, we will take the administration from this tired, ill-intentioned government that thinks of itself, not the nation, in the first election.

"We will be the government, we will change this order"

In Yalova, the ornamental plant center is being wasted. An Organized Industrial Zone for Floriculture needs to be established. Under the CHP government, we will reduce the VAT to 1 percent, we will provide incentives, and we will make the Yalova florists smile. There are shipyard workers. There is subcontracting, the 'dayıbaşı' (foreman) system. There is no job security. Salaries are minimum wage. They work under chemicals. Their wear-and-tear rights have been abolished. Workers are suffering a great injustice. We will be the government, we will change this order.

"Those who once said 'we are soaring, we are flying, we are escaping' are now producing a thousand and one excuses"

The biggest problem of both Yalova and Turkey is undoubtedly the economy. Those who once said 'we are soaring, we are flying, we are escaping' are now producing a thousand and one excuses. Unfortunately, the picture is very sad. We are number one in Europe in poverty. We are number one in Europe in high inflation. We are number one in Europe in high interest rates, unemployment, and income and tax injustice. Unfortunately, while we used to say we are number one in Europe in Greco-Roman, freestyle wrestling, and taekwondo, now in the AK Party's black order, there is a 'five-in-one' but this is not the one brought by awards and victories, but the great burden that the AK Party has hung around our necks, brought by misery.

"They wore 20 million [lira] watches on their arms, they came and voted 'no' to 28 thousand liras"

There are 75-80 percent retirees in this square. They deemed 20 thousand liras a month worthy for these retirees for the future, 20 thousand liras. We were already objecting to retiree salaries. When they said the retiree salary would be 19 thousand, and we would give a thousand liras and make it 20 thousand, the Republican People's Party Parliamentary Group, all our deputies took action in Parliament. They did not leave Parliament for 15 days. We said, let's give retirees a salary they can live on humanely. Actually, there was a great opportunity. All parties other than the CHP, or rather other than the AK Party; the CHP, DEM, New Way Group, IYI Party, and finally the MHP called this a misery wage. We said: 'Come on, let's fix this misery wage.' If it were up to us, the minimum wage would be 39 thousand liras, and the lowest retiree salary would be 39 thousand liras. But since you made the minimum wage 28 thousand liras, come on, let's make the lowest retiree salary 28 thousand liras too. Come on, let's all give an 8 thousand lira flat raise to all retirees. To every retiree. At least let's let them take a comfortable breath. But they haven't seen poverty for even one day. They haven't skipped a meal in their lives. They wore 20 million [lira] watches on their arms, they came and voted 'no' to 28 thousand liras.

"They are not ashamed to put the retiree in a coffin, they are ashamed to bring the coffin into Parliament"

All opposition deputies showed great resistance, they fought a great struggle. Our friends tried every way. Just before the final vote, they said, 'Stop, think one more time. Let's have a reconsideration. Let's not raise our hands for 20 thousand, but at least for 28 thousand liras. Think again,' they said, they didn't listen. Our friends brought a coffin to the Parliament podium. Did you see that coffin, the coffin? The AK Party could not tolerate seeing that coffin. They are not ashamed to put the retiree in a coffin, they are ashamed to bring the coffin into Parliament.

"Vampires attack coffins and tombstones. You are vampires who suck the blood of the retiree"

Then they grabbed it, they attacked this coffin. Friends had written the retiree's tombstone, written the misery wages on it, they attacked that. Today, Mr. Tayyip has come out and says, 'The Republican People's Party is trying to provoke the retiree against us.' You have killed the retiree, and you are still talking about trying to provoke them. He says: 'They are attacking the podium.' We did not attack the podium. There was a retiree's coffin on the podium. You attacked that coffin. I am saying it from here, from Yalova: Vampires attack coffins and tombstones. You are vampires who suck the blood of the retiree.

News Source: 12punto