Kılıçdaroğlu responds to Bahçeli’s Pennsylvania jibe: Check the chronicles

CHP General Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said with reference to criticism levelled against him by MHP General Chair Devlet Bahçeli, ‘I love my own country and I have never sought special support from another country and have never considered doing so. I am standing up for justice. If Bahçeli stands up for this, too, let him join me and walk along with me.’

In the statement he made prior to the eighth day of the Justice Walk at Kazanlar village locality close to Bolu’s Gerede sub-province, CHP General Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu replied to the criticism MHP General Chair Devlet Bahçeli had levelled against him.

 ‘IF COURTS RULE IN LINE WITH THE POLITICAL AUTHORITY’S ORDERS, THIS MEANS THAT THE REGIME HAS CHANGED IN THAT COUNTRY’

Kılıçdaroğlu commented, ‘Today, luckily for all of us, the weather is very nice. We wish for a Turkey in which we can live together in tranquillity. We want a Turkey where terrorism wreaks no havoc and tranquillity reigns. We will work and exert ourselves for justice. Positive reactions are coming from all sections of society. I heartily thank all my citizens. I wish to say that this support is very important for us. I am marching and I am marching for ladies sitting at home, famers working in the fields, industrialists, judges and everyone. It is enough for justice to come to this country. We will all live in tranquillity in a Turkey where there is justice. Be sure that we will all live in tranquillity in a country where there is justice. If justice is used as a tool of legal oppression and if courts rule in line with the political authority’s orders, this means that the regime has changed in that country.’

 ‘WE LAUNCHED OUR MARCH THAT WE STARTED IN GÜVEN PARK CALLING FOR JUSTICE AND WE WILL END IT CALLING FOR JUSTICE’

Kılıçdaroğlu said, ‘Let us defend the operation with all its instruments of a democratic, secular, welfare and law-based state and our republic and let us defend freedom of religion and conscience and the welfare state. Let nobody remain hungry and jobless. Let us erect justice on top of all this. We launched our march that we started in Güven Park calling for justice and we will end it calling for justice. I wish justice-filled days for all of you.’

 ‘I LOVE MY OWN COUNTRY AND I HAVE NEVER SOUGHT SPECIAL SUPPORT FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY’

Kılıçdaroğlu commented as follows in reply to Devlet Bahçeli's criticism against him: ‘I love my own country and I have never sought special support from another country and have never considered doing so. It is an honour for me to struggle and march together with this country’s people. Justice is necessary for everyone. Our Lord says, “Govern with justice.” So, justice is a noble concept.

MR BAHÇELI MAY CRITICISE, BLESS HIM. HE CAN ALSO SET HIMSELF UP AS GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON.

Mr Bahçeli may criticise, bless him. He may criticise as much as he likes. Indeed, in my eyes, he can also set himself up as government spokesperson. There is no problem at all for me. I have never been to Pennsylvania or spoken with Pennsylvania in my life. Take a look; the chronicles show whom Gülen thanked at the time he was ill. Of the general chairs, my name alone is absent. I am fighting for this country’s unity and harmony. I say let there be no bloodshed in this country. I want there to be peace and there to be justice.

I AM STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE. IF BAHÇELI STANDS UP FOR THIS, TOO, LET HIM JOIN ME AND WALK ALONG WITH ME

In a place where justice is absent, human life has no significance. This is what I am standing up for. If Bahçeli stands up for this, too, let him join me and walk along with me. If he says, “No, I do not want justice in this country,” let him continue to make pronouncements. I see no objection.’

BAHÇELİ'S COMMENT

MHP General Chair Devlet Bahçeli criticised the march Kılıçdaroğlu is making in a comment he posted on his Twitter account yesterday and commented, ‘March as best you can, but mind you don’t fall; don’t get fed up half way and turn back. If you have enough breath, go as far as Pennsylvania and don’t come back.’