The 'Junta' debate between Ali Mahir Başarır and Abdülhamit Gül leaves its mark on the Turkish Grand National Assembly: 'Your party lacks love for the homeland'

In the General Assembly, group deputy chairmen of political parties took the floor to make assessments regarding the agenda.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır expressed that he watched the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House with "dismay and sadness."

Referring to students who were arrested for participating in demonstrations following corruption and terrorism investigations into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Başarır asked the question, "Pastor Brunson is there, why are my children in prison?"

Claiming that the state has been turned into a "party state," Başarır said, "'If you are not one of us, you are nothing.' You cannot reach the governor, the district governor, the chief public prosecutor, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), or the rector; those children are left on the streets."

Stating that they are not pleased with this situation, Başarır said, "We want to make laws here, talk about the agenda, discuss electricity price hikes, and debate the people's problems, but if there is no democracy, nothing happens. If people, children, and politicians are in prison, nothing happens."

"THIS IS A FASCIST MENTALITY"

Stating that they have been watching the traces of the CHP's return to a "single-party" mentality and the "old CHP" in recent weeks with dismay and sadness, AKP Group Deputy Chairman Gül pointed out that the language, discourse, approach, and political style used by the main opposition are very important for Turkey.

Pointing out that the nation will decide who will come to power in Turkey, Gül said, "In this sense, our nation is watching the political style applied by a party aspiring to power in Turkey with astonishment and dismay. Using the term 'junta' for a person or administration elected by the will of the nation at the ballot box in Turkey is something that can never be accepted."

Emphasizing that it is unacceptable to call a person and administration elected by the votes of the nation a "junta" or to say "the September 12 era was better than this," Gül continued as follows:

"This mentality, which alienates the nation even while in opposition, alienates and divides even chocolate brands and the grocery stores they visit, and engages in social divisiveness, truly and genuinely does not suit our nation. That is why our nation supports Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the AK Party in every election; and gives the CHP the duty of opposition. Turkey is minding its own business; it will continue to be governed by the will of our nation and the votes cast by our nation when the time comes. This mentality, which complains about the developments and agenda of this country to a foreign country, tells people 'do not shop' at stores where the nation works with its own capital and sweat, and alienates even those who remain silent against developments in Turkey, is a fascist mentality. This language and this political style have no benefit to Turkey."

Stating that political agendas should be discussed but should not be brought to a point of division, discrimination, and alienation as a sociological fault line, Gül said, "For some reason, the CHP initially made a move with normalization policies, but Mr. Özel is likely unable to withstand the pressure of his own base, and with a sense of déjà vu, the CHP is trying to return to its old mentality and ontological existence. This is of no benefit to either the CHP or Turkish democracy."

Pointing out that Turkey is a state of law, Abdulhamit Gül said, "What you call a 'junta' takes up arms, tanks, and rifles to wage war against the nation, but Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has fought against those who waged war on the nation with the nation's votes. We will continue to fight against the junta."

"YOUR PARTY LACKS LOVE FOR THE HOMELAND"

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Başarır, on the other hand, stated that his party was founded on September 9, 1923, and its leader was Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Başarır said, "We are still at that point, but we do not know where you are. Because you say, 'They said this to Özal, they said this to Erbakan, they said this to Menderes.' Yes, they were criticized from time to time, they criticized each other, they made mistakes.

I also admit that injustice was done to them.

Even if they made mistakes, they had something: love for the people, love for the homeland; this is what is missing in your party, in you."

News Source: AA