08.04.2025 14:14
The CHP-affiliated Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz announced his resignation from the party with harsh words. In a press conference he organized, Yılmaz stated that he was resigning from the Republican People's Party and mentioned that he would continue his duties as an independent for the time being.
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Umut Yılmaz, the Mayor of Şehitkamil, which ranks 5th among the largest district municipalities in Turkey in terms of population, announced his resignation from the Republican People's Party (CHP) at a press conference he organized. Along with Umut Yılmaz, 5 council members from CHP also resigned from the party. In a press conference where he announced his resignation from CHP with very harsh statements, Mayor Umut Yılmaz claimed that a trap was set for him by his party, stating that he was left alone by the central headquarters, members of parliament, and provincial administration, and made shocking allegations.
WILL HE JOIN THE AK PARTY?
Yılmaz, who reacted to his party, said, "They threatened my family, my assistant was attacked with a weapon, and the Central Headquarters remained silent." Yılmaz, who left unanswered questions about whether he would join the AK Party or another party, stated, "I am independent for now."
Yılmaz, who described the developments since the day he was elected, stated the following:
"As the Mayor of Şehitkamil, we have tried to fulfill our duties with a management approach that is honest and responsible, without deviating from the principles of justice, merit, and transparency. However, at this point, I must sadly state that the municipality's management has been paralyzed by those chasing personal ambitions, the politics of slander, and immoral traps.
"INCREASING PRESSURES AND THREATS INTERFERED WITH THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE"
While fighting against the increasing pressures, threats, attempts to discredit, and the understanding that sees the municipality as a means of personal gain, not only my personal will but also the will of the people of Gaziantep has been interfered with. Some interest groups established in the municipal council to make decisions contrary to the public's interests, artificial crises created to hinder service to the nation, and traps carried out by some members of parliament and some of our council members have now exceeded the limits of tolerance.
"THEY LINED UP TO GIVE TESTIMONY AT THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AGAINST A CHP MEMBER"
What has happened is not just a political competition but also a moral and ethical collapse. I have fought honorably against those who want to use the municipality not for the service of the people but for the benefit of the city. However, the shooting of my own deputy mayor by his own party member, the attempts to have me beaten by bringing people to every council meeting by a CHP council member, the beating of one CHP council member by another CHP council member in the council building, the raid on my law office by a CHP council member, the threats against my family by filming my house by a party member, daily insults, slanders, and lies on social media, the attempts to create a perception against me with lies and slanders by the brother of a CHP council member who reported me to CIMER twenty-four times, and the most painful, the unbearable for me, the lining up of some CHP council members to give testimony against the CHP mayor at the Public Prosecutor's Office.
"CHP LEFT ME ALONE"
The CHP Provincial Presidency's failure to support the Mayor, the involvement of members of parliament in other matters, and the CHP Central Headquarters leaving me alone here have saddened me greatly. Remaining silent against these open attacks on a mayor elected by the people's votes is to be complicit in this crime. I can no longer walk a path with an understanding that has turned a blind eye to all kinds of interest relations, rent-seeking, and political traps, and has directly supported them.
"SYSTEMATIC ATTACKS WERE DIRECTED AT ME AND MY FAMILY"
I now state clearly. No issue is more valuable to me than the prayers of the people, their hard work, and their good wishes. This decision is not a sudden one. It is the result of a long-standing process, a decision of moral conscience. The systematic attacks directed at me and my family for months, the attempts to discredit, and character assassinations have brought us to this point. For me, politics is the name of serving the people. Position, rank, and seat are neither prerequisites nor goals of this understanding.
"MY FATHER WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME"
At this point, I asked myself this. My father, Ahmet Yılmaz, was the first mayor of Şehitkamil. What would he have done if he were here today? He managed this municipality with these principles in a correct, honest, and transparent manner. If my father were here today, he would have done the same as I have done.
"I WILL NOT LET MY COUNCIL MEMBERS BE OPPRESSED"
I also wanted to clearly state on this occasion that I will prioritize the rights of my council colleagues over my own rights. I will not allow their efforts, conscience, and dedication to be overshadowed by personal interests. Standing by them is not a political duty for me, but a human duty. Moreover, my companions on this journey have clean faces and clear foreheads. I have a word for those who have insulted me with lies and slanders in the public eye until now. I am here, the prosecutor's office is there, the courthouse is there, bring any documents you have.
"THIS DECISION IS A DECLARATION OF A STANCE, MORALITY, AND LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE"
The conscience of the nation will reveal the truth sooner or later. This decision is not just a decision to leave a party. This decision is a declaration of a stance, a morality, a conscience, and a love for the people. This decision is an expression of an honorable struggle, a path entered with faith, and a sincere understanding of service, and it should not be forgotten. The path of everyone who derives their strength not from position but from the people is always open. On this occasion, I respectfully announce to the public that I have resigned from the Republican People's Party along with all my council member friends.
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