17.10.2025 11:59
Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, who is rumored to be switching from the CHP to the AK Party, stated in a post on her social media account, "I am where I am. In defiance of those who do not want me in the party, I am not going anywhere. I have been continuing my struggle for years, debunking slanders and tearing down lies."
The Mayor of Afyonkarahisar, Burcu Köksal, who is claimed to be switching to the AK Party along with the mayors of Dinar and Evciler, denied the allegations about her by making a statement on X.
"IN SPITE OF THOSE WHO DON'T WANT ME IN THE PARTY..."
Köksal, who started her statement by saying "I am where I am," expressed the following: "In spite of those who don't want me in the party, I am not going anywhere. For years, I have been fighting by debunking slanders and tearing down lies. I have not had a peaceful day since the 37th Congress. I have faced every insult imaginable. I can understand those who attack from the outside in politics; but what can I say to those coming from my party, to which I have devoted my life?
"I WAS ELECTED WITH A RECORD VOTE, THEY STARTED TO COME WITH SLANDERS"
I became a mayoral candidate for my hometown; to continue my service from here. During my candidacy process, I was expelled from my party, lynched; even some journalists from the CHP subjected me to anti-propaganda for days, saying "she can't win, she'll get 5%, 10%." Some marginal individuals in the party worked door to door to ensure I wouldn't win; nothing was done. I was elected with a record vote; this time they started to come with slanders: They accused my wife, my colleague, and a director I barely know of 'taking 60 million in bribes.'
"THE HEADQUARTERS DID NOTHING"
The one who did this was the president of the youth branches, whom I refused to give the legal representation of Yüntaş. We applied to the judiciary. In his statement, the person said that the one who leaked his number to the press was Y. G., a member of the Party Council. It is proven in the prosecutor's file; additionally, this PM member Y.G. sent it to the women's branches president - T.T., who is a teammate of Y.G. - and to a former party member. We reported these to the headquarters. The judiciary decided not to pursue the case, but the headquarters did nothing to this PM member; in fact, they rewarded him in all congresses and re-elected him to the PM. It wasn't enough; they made him the assistant to the deputy chairman responsible for organizations.
This PM member's teammate did not leave any of my 'racism' or 'fascism' on social media. I said, 'Discipline the guy'; the current provincial chairman did not take any action with excuses like the disciplinary board is not meeting. So far, anyone who has attacked me has not received a thank you from the current provincial chairman. He has not been by my side on any issue. Now he has become a candidate again; using my name to ask for votes, saying we won the municipality. He brushes off the district chairmen who tell him to take action against the district chairman who insulted me, saying either 'insignificant' or 'I don't see it.' He goes and poses with that district chairman, grinning.
"IS THIS DEMOCRACY?"
This man is my provincial chairman, is he? Is this democracy? Is it an insult, slander, and disrespect to the elected? It doesn't stop there; the man who writes on social media calling me 'racist, fascist' is becoming a candidate for provincial chairman with the support of PM member Y.G. — so that he can deal with me more and insult me. They go to the district delegation, making noise and asking for votes. There is no sound from the headquarters, which goes for a single candidate everywhere, for Afyonkarahisar; in fact, I have heard that the provincial chairman candidate who insults me is being supported.
"WE WERE LYNCHED OVER A FOOTAGE"
Why is there only one candidate everywhere, but three candidates here? If the candidate against Burcu Köksal wins, let him deal with her; we can't defeat her in elections, maybe we can undermine her reputation. We were lynched over a ridiculous footage taken in a restaurant. On troll accounts, they wrote all sorts of things: Some said the person in the video was my wife, some wrote '700 million in bribes'; what scenarios were produced. Thank God, my conscience is clear, my head is held high. We didn't eat sour grapes, so our stomachs wouldn't hurt.
Even in a matter unrelated to us, slanders were thrown; we defended our rights ourselves. There is still no sound from the party I have devoted my life to. Is my crime working day and night, winning the municipality after 74 years? We have been left alone in every matter. Living without knowing what slander we will be subjected to tomorrow, what insults will be made — a life where you don't even know which front you will fight on — how peaceful can it be?
"EVERY KIND OF STRUGGLE WEARS YOU OUT"
Who are those who support those trying to bring me down since the day I was elected president, reward them, remain silent about what has been done, and do not defend my rights? I can understand if your rival attacks in politics, but what about the attacks coming from within your own ranks? On one hand, I am trying to serve under all kinds of difficulties; on the other hand, I am dealing with these issues. It is not the work and service that tires me; every kind of struggle, inside and outside, wears you out.
'These hands will never touch me. Only a single thorn from a friend will hurt me.' I don't want anyone to be subjected to slanders and insults because of me anymore. I will be at the provincial congress on Sunday; I will confront those who dig my grave, those who slander and insult; those who do not fear God and do not feel ashamed of people."