15.07.2026 14:40
The words spoken by AK Party Group Spokesperson Ahmet Alperen Aydın in the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Council regarding İsmet İnönü, the 2nd President of the Republic of Türkiye, led to a major brawl. During the session, Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç reacted very harshly by saying, "You don't become a veteran from a bluster session," and water bottles were thrown. Since the apology request was not accepted, the council meeting was adjourned when the CHP group left the hall.
The July second session of the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Council turned into a battlefield due to a historical and political polemic. The remarks made by AK Party Group Spokesperson Ahmet Alperen Aydın targeting İsmet İnönü, the 2nd President of the Republic of Türkiye, stirred up the council. During the brawl where water bottles flew through the air, the CHP group left the hall when no apology was made, and the council session was adjourned.
"WAR OF INDEPENDENCE" REMARK LIT THE FUSE
The tension began with a statement by CHP Group Spokesperson Yücel Akbulut referring to the National Struggle: "Do you know why it is called the War of Independence? It is because we gained independence from receiving orders and instructions from foreign capitals."
"DIDN'T İSMET İNÖNÜ PUT HIS WIFE ON VENIZELOS'S ARM?"
Taking the floor to respond to these remarks, AK Party Group Spokesperson Ahmet Alperen Aydın targeted İsmet İnönü, one of the founding figures of the Republic, with the following statements, instantly raising the tension in the council to its peak: "Greek Prime Minister Venizelos's son Sofokles even went to the Tomb of Osman Gazi during the occupation of Bursa and took a photo, displaying such insolence. But a few years later, did your second party leader İsmet İnönü put his wife on Venizelos's arm or not?.. Did he or did he not?"
WATER BOTTLES FLEW THROUGH THE AIR
A major scuffle erupted in the hall following Aydın's accusations. A CHP member was seen throwing a water bottle towards AK Party's Aydın, while Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç stood up from his seat and reacted very strongly. Dalgıç emphasized that the council podium should not be defiled, stating: "Do not defile this place. Is İsmet İnönü a subject for here? İsmet İnönü is a true veteran. İsmet İnönü is not a self-proclaimed veteran. You don't become a veteran just by calling yourself one. This man fought for his country. You don't become a veteran with big talk. Find yourself another group spokesperson. This is not that kind of place."
NO APOLOGY, SO THEY LEFT THE COUNCIL
Following verbal provocations and attempts at physical intervention, the session was forced into a recess. After the break, the council reconvened, and the CHP group demanded an apology from AK Party's Aydın for his accusations against historical figures. However, the final straw was Deputy Council Speaker Şahin Biba's statement: "Let no one expect anything from anyone. This council has seen many things and heard many insults, but no one has ever apologized to anyone." Upon these words, the CHP group collectively left the hall. Due to the lack of a quorum and ongoing tensions, the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Council meeting was adjourned until Thursday, July 16, at 5:00 PM.