CHP leader says AKP waging smear campaign against his party
ISTANBUL
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is smearing the opposition because they have nothing convincing to say amid financial troubles for the upcoming March 31 elections, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said.
“They want to separate and divide us. They are slandering us in every way possible, because they have nothing else to say. It’s not like they can actually say they solved the unemployment problem or tradesmen’s concerns,” he said at a rally in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district on March 27.
“They cannot say ‘There is no unemployment or poverty,’ because both exist [in Turkey]. Nothing they say helps. Now they’ve started labelling everyone not voting for them as terrorists,” he said.
He stressed that citizens labeled as “terrorists” were not doing anything wrong especially in the current circumstances of Turkey.
“You [AKP] have been ruling the country for 17 years. You’ve put people in queues to buy onions. How are we going to stand for this?” he added, referring to a recent government scheme to sell cheap fruits and vegetables amid price hikes at stalls run by municipalities.
The party leader once again promised that staff working at CHP-run municipalities will earn at least 2,200 Turkish Liras (around $405), a little above the minimum wage. He vowed no employee of the municipality will be left jobless.
“You are all living in the magnificent Istanbul. It is [CHP’s] desire for all of you to live in peace and have abundance in your homes. Hopefully, we will accomplish these via municipalities,” he said, addressing the residents of Esenyurt.
Kılıçdaroğlu also conveyed that with the CHP’s municipal work, the public will see how providing services is done and how authorities can be held to account before the public.
“Our struggle is for the rights and happiness of the people. We will not marginalize anyone based on their identities, faith and lifestyles,” said the CHP head.
He also vowed to always stand by the “oppressed” and not with “tyrants.”
