Explosive claim from Melih Gökçek: Deniz Baykal offered me candidacy.

Explosive claim from Melih Gökçek: Deniz Baykal offered me candidacy.

10.03.2026 15:50

Former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek stated that Deniz Baykal offered him the candidacy for the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality in 2009, saying, "Those who don't believe can ask the then Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Sevigen."

Former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek claimed that Deniz Baykal offered him candidacy for the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality in 2009.

"DENİZ BAYKAL LOVED ME A LOT"

Speaking on Melih Gökçek's YouTube channel with Millet News Agency Editor-in-Chief Sinan Burhan, Gökçek brought up a striking claim, stating that Deniz Baykal found him successful. In his statement, Gökçek said, "Deniz Baykal loved me a lot. He would find me very successful. Out of courtesy, I did not talk about this in the past, but now I am revealing it. In 2009, he offered me the candidacy for the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality."

"THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE CAN ASK MEHMET SEVİGEN"

Regarding the claim, Gökçek pointed to the then-CHP Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Sevigen, saying, "Those who don't believe can ask the Deputy Secretary General of that time, Mehmet Sevigen."

IT BECAME A TOPIC IN POLITICAL CIRCLES

The claim that such an offer was made to Melih Gökçek, known for his harsh criticisms of the CHP throughout his political career, drew attention in political circles.

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