Tülay Hatimoğulları reveals the story behind the photo with Erdoğan

DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları spoke about the photos taken with President and AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) opening reception, which caused controversy.

Responding to questions from İrfan Aktan on the Spot YouTube channel, Hatimoğulları addressed the moment before the reception when Erdoğan passed by without greeting her. Stating that they had viewed Devlet Bahçeli's greeting last year as a "sign of a process initiated by the state," Hatimoğulları expressed that Erdoğan's failure to greet her this time caused her surprise:

''To be honest, the fact that he passed by without greeting me, which was also evident from my facial expression, caused me surprise as well. The thought crossed everyone's mind whether there was a political reason behind this. … Later, this issue was discussed in the Speaker of Parliament's office. The President said he did not recognize me, that he got confused, and expressed his regrets, etc. Afterwards, the Group Deputy Chairs visited our group and conveyed their apologies on behalf of the President, and invited us to the reception in the evening. In the evening, Numan Kurtulmuş called about the same issue, and I was invited to the reception once again. Then came the well-known photos…”

"WE WERE STRUGGLING TO STAND"

Stating that she found the criticisms regarding the controversial photos unfair, Hatimoğulları drew attention to the physical conditions at that moment. Explaining that there was a serious density of security and a crowd in the reception area, Hatimoğulları said:

“There was a very serious pushing and shoving there, tables were about to tip over, and so on. It is a photo where we were struggling even to stand. During that photo frame, people were trying to stay on their feet.”

"WE ARE THE ONES WHO WANT TURKEY TO NORMALIZE THE MOST"

Stating that she divides the criticisms that came after the photo into two, Hatimoğulları argued that one segment made sincere criticisms, while the other segment was against the negotiation process. Claiming that this segment had also been distant from the Kurdish people's struggle in the past, Hatimoğulları continued as follows:

“There is a segment that says, 'Oh, why did this process start, this process is providing a lifeline to the regime.' A segment that persistently wants to remove us from the negotiation table. This is a segment that was distant from the Kurdish people's freedom struggle even before the AKP. When deputies were put in prison, when people were massacred in Cizre, when a tiny child was kept in a refrigerator, this segment remained a spectator to this process, with an approach like 'they deserved it, they were fighting terrorism.' This segment raised a hue and cry over these photos. Regarding the election alliance and the constitution. Because we are the ones who want Turkey to normalize the most. We are the ones who are arrested and have trustees appointed to our municipalities in a non-normal Turkey. … I find the statement made by Özgür Özel on this matter very correct.”

"WE ARE MANAGING A NEGOTIATION PROCESS"

Saying that if they had not attended the reception, they would have been criticized for "why they did not attend," Hatimoğulları emphasized that the step they took was part of a conscious political strategy. Stating that their goal is an honorable peace, Hatimoğulları concluded her words as follows:

“We are managing a negotiation process. We have met with all political parties and the executive bodies of the state. I hope these meetings will result in an honorable peace. These meetings of ours will continue. We deemed it appropriate to go there during a period when we are continuing these meetings.”

News Source: 12punto