CHP Chairman Özgür Özel responded to the remarks made by Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum regarding the election date during a live broadcast on NOW TV. Özel stated that he finds the comments suggesting the election date is "settled" to be problematic in terms of the will of the Parliament.
Beginning his speech by offering condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the flood disaster in Istanbul, Özel said regarding Uçum’s remarks, "This means disregarding the will of this Parliament. We are never, ever involved in such a business."
Criticizing Uçum for using definitive expressions regarding the election date, Özel said, "Who is Uçum reaching this figure with? Is he saying he made a secret deal with the DEM Party, or is he pointing to the CHP? He should come out and say this so the nation knows who to hold accountable," he stated.
Specifically noting that he was not making an accusation against the DEM Party, Özel argued that the claim in question targeted the entire opposition. "The man is not saying 'it could be,' he is giving a date. What deal are you aware of? I am never, ever saying that the DEM Party has done this. This remark is a slander cast upon all of us," he said.
MUNICIPAL TRANSFERS AND FLOOD STATEMENT
During the broadcast, Özel also brought up allegations regarding mayors changing parties, claiming that Murat Kurum had offered transfer proposals to some mayors who visited him. Calling on Kurum to "come out and deny it," Özel argued that meetings held behind closed doors are now being voiced in front of cameras as well.
Continuing his criticisms by naming names from Aydın and Afyonkarahisar, Özel said that while leaving a political party might be seen as ordinary on its own, receiving votes with different rhetoric during the election process and then switching to another party is problematic toward the voters.
Using harsh expressions regarding İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, Özel explained that the party management took responsibility during the candidate selection process and that he personally supported the election campaign in İzmir. Özel claimed that Tugay would face a major confrontation both legally and politically in the coming process.
Özel also mentioned a list of 84 people regarding a fund investigation, arguing that the responsibility for disclosing this list lies with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Touching upon the flood in Istanbul and the Kanal İstanbul debate, Özel criticized the decisions made during the AK Party era regarding the opening of stream beds for zoning. Citing zoning decisions regarding the stream bed in Sarıyer Ayazağa as an example, Özel said that those responsible for the loss of life and damages would be held accountable.
News Source: 12punto
