It was claimed he would switch to the AKP: Response from the Muğla Metropolitan Mayor

Following the news that Aydın Metropolitan Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu had joined the AKP, claims emerged in pro-government media that defections from the CHP would continue and that some other metropolitan mayors would also join the AKP.

While it was alleged that two more metropolitan mayors were in talks with the AKP, the name of Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras had been mentioned.

Denying the allegations against him, Ahmet Aras said, "It is unthinkable for me to embezzle the votes I received from our people thanks to our 'father's hearth,' the Republican People's Party (CHP), and switch to another party."

Making a statement following the claims, Aras noted that he came to the mayoral office with the votes he received thanks to the CHP, stating, "Positions attained through the votes of our people are not spoils of war, but a trust. They cannot be packed up and taken to another party."

Here is the statement Aras made on social media:

"As the Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, just as it is unthinkable for me to embezzle anything that belongs to our people, it is also unthinkable for me to embezzle the votes I received from our people thanks to our 'father's hearth,' the Republican People's Party, which honored me by deeming me worthy of candidacy for such a valuable office, and switch to another party.

The marks we leave during these transient duties will be the pride or shame of our family, our children, and our grandchildren in the future.

In the flow of political life, views may change, disagreements may occur, and even separations may happen; however, if this separation is to be from a political party, one must also leave the office attained thanks to that political party's candidacy.

In conclusion, positions attained through the votes of our people are not spoils of war, but a trust. They cannot be packed up and taken to another party. This is my belief and my conviction."

News Source: 12punto