CHP's Veli Ağababa called out to Erdoğan: "Come, let's hold elections on November 2"

CHP Malatya MP Veli Ağbaba described the detentions and arrests of CHP mayors as political operations at a press conference he held in Adıyaman. Ağbaba, who called for an early election on November 2nd by saying “come and challenge” to President Erdoğan, criticized him by saying “peace with the PKK and war with the CHP.”

CHP Malatya MP Veli Ağbaba criticized the detentions and arrests of CHP mayors at a press conference he held at the Adıyaman CHP Provincial Headquarters. Ağbaba targeted the government at the meeting, which was also attended by Gölbaşı Mayor İskender Yıldırım, Kömür Mayor Hassari Talaş, Yaylakonak Mayor Abuzer Aydın and CHP Provincial Chairman Engin Doğan.

Ağbaba emphasized that the operations against Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere in particular had political purposes. Ağbaba said, “All the detentions made to date, including yesterday’s operation, are clearly political operations,” and stated that Tutdere would go if he were called to testify by the prosecutor’s office.

The CHP deputy explained the process of Tutdere's detention in detail. According to Ağbaba, Tutdere left his home in Ankara and went to the airport, but returned home after his plane was delayed, and at that moment his home was raided and he was detained.

Ağbaba, who said, “However, someone sitting next to the prosecutor’s office in Adıyaman would give his statement if told to ‘come’,” argued that the aim was to put him in handcuffs and have him take a photo. Ağbaba, who also criticized the treatment of Zeydan Karalar, the President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities, said, “The disrespect shown to the mayor of a big city like Adana, who has been elected for two terms, is unacceptable.”

Veli Ağbaba argued that the accusations against CHP mayors were made against the will of the people. Ağbaba said, “Abdurrahman Tutdere was elected by receiving the votes of one out of every two people in Adıyaman. This is not an easy achievement,” and indicated that an “Adıyaman alliance” was established in Adıyaman.

Ağbaba emphasized that not only CHP members but also AK Party, MHP and citizens from other parties voted for Tutdere. He reminded that Tutdere made his voice heard in Türkiye in the city that the state could not enter for 3 days in the first moments of the February 6 earthquake.

Ağbaba, who said, “Tutdere, who pulled not only his own relatives but also the people of Adıyaman out of the rubble, is being punished today,” said that what is being punished is actually the will of the people. Ağbaba, who stated that Tutdere will not be tainted, addressed all his Adıyaman brothers.

He told Ağbaba, “Regardless of your political views, please protect your will. Because this issue is not just an operation against a mayor, it is an operation against your free will.”

Ağbaba made an open call to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from Adıyaman, asking for early elections, saying, “The pressures you are putting on, our arrested mayors, the slanders thrown at our party do not discourage us. On the contrary, they strengthen our party and unite us all.”

Ağbaba said, “Come on! Whenever you say, it can be next week or 45 days later… Just set up the ballot box. Come on, let’s have an election on November 2,” and challenged Erdoğan. Ağbaba added, “If you trust yourself, come on! Who is first, who is second, let everyone see.”

Ağbaba, who criticized the judicial operations with harsh words, attacked the government and said, "You can neither bring peace nor justice to this country by making peace with Öcalan and Kandil on the one hand, and declaring war on the CHP on the other hand."

Ağbaba said, “You cannot keep Türkiye together by being hostile towards the CHP while holding peace talks with the PKK. These operations are a burden on both the people and the economy,” and emphasized that the CHP is a founding party.

Ağbaba, who stated that the detentions and arrests were for political purposes, described the operations against CHP municipalities as a “coup attempt.” He asked, “If trial without detention exists in this country, why is it not applied to CHP municipalities? Innocent people are being kept at the police station for 34 days.”

Ağbaba, who also touched upon the detention of Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere, targeted the government with harsh words, saying, “Abdurrahman Tutdere’s life is out in the open. Neither his mother nor his father, nor his past are hidden.”

Ağbaba, who said that the accusations against Tutdere were an informant's attempt to save himself, said, "If you want to see the real thieves, look at Ankara, Melih Gökçek and his son!"

Ağbaba, who said, “The assets of mayors, even all political party leaders, should be investigated. Let's come out! Whoever has become rich from politics should come forward!” emphasized that they, as his party, stand by Tutdere.

Ağbaba concluded his words by saying, “We guarantee your honor and dignity. This nation will not remain silent against the attack on its will. Everyone, regardless of the political party they belong to, must protect their will.”