Response from Fakıbaba, who resigned from İYİ Party, to Dervişoğlu: 'Until now, I...'

Statements made by IYI Party Ankara Deputy Ahmet Eşref Fakıbaba regarding the period when he joined the party have sparked debate on the political agenda. Following Fakıbaba's remarks, 'I did not say "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk" when joining the IYI Party,' a call for resignation came from IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu.

Following these developments, Fakıbaba announced that he had resigned from both his IYI Party membership and his parliamentary seat. Speaking to Merve Şişman from Nefes newspaper after his resignation, Fakıbaba explained the disagreements between him and the party leadership, as well as his decision to resign.

FAKIBABA'S INTERVIEW WITH İSMAİL SAYMAZ BECAME A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

The statements that triggered the controversy came up during an interview Sözcü columnist İsmail Saymaz conducted with Fakıbaba.

Stating that he thought differently on certain issues within the party, Fakıbaba said, 'I voiced my opposition within the party. I said "Yes" so as not to disrupt the group. But that was not what I truly wanted.'

Stating that he has defined his political view as liberal since his youth, Fakıbaba described his approach at the time he joined the IYI Party with the following words:

'When joining the IYI Party, I did not say "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk." I said, "I am a Turkish nationalist."'

Fakıbaba also expressed his support for the peace process, stating that he believes the second opening process, referred to as a 'Terror-free Turkey,' will yield positive results.

RESIGNATION CALL FROM DERVİŞOĞLU TO FAKIBABA

Following Fakıbaba's statements, IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu made a statement on his social media account without naming anyone.

Dervişoğlu stated, 'There is no place among us for someone who cannot say "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk."' The IYI Party Chairman indicated that Fakıbaba should demonstrate the same attitude he showed when he previously left the AKP.

Dervişoğlu expressed his expectation for resignation with these words:

'As a requirement of political honor, I hope he will demonstrate again the attitude he took when resigning from the AK Party, which we also appreciated, and I expect his resignation from our party and his parliamentary seat.'

Following this statement, Fakıbaba announced that he had resigned from the IYI Party and his parliamentary seat.

FAKIBABA'S STATEMENT REGARDING THE REASON FOR HIS RESIGNATION

Speaking after his resignation decision, Fakıbaba did not express any resentment toward Müsavat Dervişoğlu or party members. However, he stated that disagreements on certain political issues had become apparent.

Fakıbaba used the following expressions in his assessment of the matter:

'I am a person who loves and appreciates both Mr. Müsavat and his friends. But of course, there were disagreements. I mean, these were obvious disagreements, especially regarding the framework law and such. It seems this is as far as it goes; there is a silver lining in everything.'

HE EXPLAINED THE REASON FOR HIS DECISION TO LEAVE PARLIAMENT AS WELL

Fakıbaba explained why he resigned not only from party membership but also from his parliamentary seat. Reminding that he was elected as a deputy with the votes of the IYI Party, Fakıbaba stated that he decided to leave both positions.

Fakıbaba said, 'I am an IYI Party deputy; I was elected with the votes of the IYI Party. I resigned from both the parliamentary seat and the party.'

HE DREW ATTENTION TO DERVİŞOĞLU'S POST

In his assessment regarding the social media post where Dervişoğlu demanded his resignation, Fakıbaba said the following:

'And Mr. Müsavat posted such a tweet... I mean, thank God, I have never been under such a thing until now. I have not been crushed.'