CHP's Kartal rally | Özgür Özel: "Yusuf Tekin, the Supreme Court will be established and you will be tried."

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel criticized the 719 top-ranking students in the LGS results at a rally in Kartal, Istanbul. Özel told National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, "You will be held accountable for stealing children's futures."

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel harshly criticized the government's economic policies at a rally in Kartal, Istanbul. Özel stated that the economic losses were a direct result of stolen assets from the public.

Özel said, "They caused this country to experience the disaster of a century and a half. Both with an earthquake and with economic devastation." Özel stated that a full 86,000 Turkish Lira was taken from the pockets of everyone in the square and the citizens watching television on March 19th, adding, "Ten quarter-gold coins were stolen from all of your pockets."

Özel targeted National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin. Referring to the LGS exam results, which yielded over 700 top marks, Özel recalled Tekin first saying, "I explained it like I was explaining it to an idiot," then later adding, "The stench is coming from CHP-run municipalities." Özel now acknowledged that the questions were distributed before the exam was over, adding, "But he's still hurling insults with his arrogance."

"Let this be Kartal's word. Yusuf Tekin, that supreme court will be established. You too will be tried!" Özel said, adding, "You stole the sweat of children's fathers. But you will be held accountable for stealing children's futures. We are coming to power with a bang."

Özel also addressed President Erdoğan. "They claim to be allies with parties they are not allies with. They deny it too. Hey Erdoğan, you will go this route alone. You will be held accountable for all the crimes you have committed and commissioned," he said.

Özel also touched on corruption allegations in Hatay Hassa, saying that the previous mayor, AKP's Mehmet Karataş, said of the current mayor, AKP's Selahattin Çolak, "He issues invoices without purchasing any goods. He robbed the district. Thieves are on the loose."

The CHP leader stated that the purchasing power of pensions for retirees and minimum wage earners has significantly decreased. "You can only buy two quarter-gold coins with your pension," Özel said, adding, "Retirees and minimum wage earners, will you look for what you've lost? You'll find your lost gold at the first ballot box."

Özel also addressed workers' right to interim raises. "We'll get our right to an interim raise by force," Özel said, adding, "Even if you hold a rally, not even a tenth of the pay will come. But we're not holding a rally; we're protesting, and we're resisting the coup."

Özel said that “members of the government are camping next to the slanderers, and those who greet these people are arrested.” He added, “They go and spend their holidays in the slanderers’ camp, but they imprison people who only greet them.”

Regarding the baklava box seen in the footage from the Manavgat operation, Özel said , "They forced a baklava box into someone's hand and sent it on its way. We watched 36 hours of camera footage, but nothing came of it. Do you know what was inside that box? A light bulb!"

Özel also recounted an incident that allegedly took place at the AKP's Kızılcahamam camp. He said, "An AKP member of parliament was speaking there. He said, 'Mr. President, I want to remind you of the promise you made to us. We can't even look at the minimum wage earner in the face. Let's give him a raise.' But Erdoğan wasn't paying any attention."

Addressing the MPs who are experiencing discomfort within the AKP ranks, Özel said, "I am calling out to the AKP members who are ashamed: Leave that party. Resign with honor!"

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu emphasized in his message that Türkiye has been in a major political crisis for the past four months. He said, "The government is trampling on the rule of law, democracy, and the national will to remain in power for 23 years."

İmamoğlu stated that the CHP is under an all-out attack. "The CHP, with its mayors, members of parliament, its chairman, and its institutional structure, is under an unlawful siege," İmamoğlu said , adding, "We will all put an end to this unjust system established for the benefit of a handful of people."

Özel also touched on Şaban Vatan's struggle. "Şaban Vatan has been struggling for seven years to uncover the truth behind his daughter Rabia Naz's death," Özel said, noting that the grieving father had been detained and arrested.

"I promise Şaban Vatan from here: This system will definitely change. We will achieve justice for Rabia Naz, and for everyone in this country who wants justice, together," he said.

Citizens chanted slogans like "Government, Resign." İmamoğlu concluded his message by saying, "We will not give up, we will not get tired, we will definitely succeed. Everything will be great."