İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who continued as an independent for a while after leaving the CHP and subsequently joined the AKP, made statements regarding the process of changing parties.
Speaking to TRT, Tugay responded to allegations of "pressure" and "threats" coming from the opposition. Arguing that the decision to switch to the AKP was not made under the threat of any file or investigation, Tugay said, "Look, during my transition process to the AK Party, no one showed me any files, nor did they threaten me with an investigation or any other operation."
Stating that he evaluated his decision based on the interests of İzmir, Tugay used the expressions, "I changed parties because I became convinced that this was something for the benefit of İzmir." Suggesting that some citizens in the city were tired of the problems, Tugay said, "Therefore, I actually received a message from the public that we could accept a transition."
"I RECEIVED MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM CHP FIGURES"
Claiming that he also received messages of support from CHP circles after joining the AKP, Tugay said, "Many people whom I know have been involved in politics in the Republican People's Party for years wrote me messages saying, 'We see you as justified. You did the right thing by doing this.' I, of course, draw strength from them."
Tugay also made evaluations regarding the approach of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ministers toward İzmir. Saying, "They really love İzmir. I mean, they want to do things for İzmir," Tugay stated that "many problems could be solved" if the experience of the central government is combined with local knowledge.
News Source: 12punto
