‘Those Seeing Kurds as “Easy to Deceive Simpletons” Have Always Been Mistaken’

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) imprisoned former Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş has answered the questions of daily Yeni Yaşam (New Life) ahead of İstanbul Metropolitan Mayoral election rerun on June 23.

"I think that the HDP voters will go to the ballot box with much stronger determination and higher participation on June 23," Demirtaş has stated and added, "Those who see Kurds as 'simpletons who are very easy to deceive' have always been mistaken, they will continue being mistaken."

CLICK - 'We Believe Discourse of İmamoğlu Should be Supported'

In a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter account, Selahattin Demirtaş, who has been behind bars since November 4, 2016, previously referred to main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu by saying, "We believe that the discourse of İmamoğlu should be supported for today. Because we are beautiful together"

Some highlights from his recent interview are as follows:

'HDP voters will vote with stronger determination'

"It is already known that there will be no change in the attitude of the HDP in İstanbul elections, which will be repeated on June 23 due to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) ruling that does not comply with the law.

"I think that the HDP voters will go to the ballot box with much stronger determination and higher participation on June 23. There is a serious usurpation of voters' will. I believe that the citizens in İstanbul will, this time, protect their will and rights without hardening their hearts."

'Kurds heed actions more than words'

Regarding the change in the discourse of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Kurds ahead of İstanbul elections, Demirtaş has stated,

"The notions of Kurd and Kurdistan are historical, sociological and geographical realities. Whoever wants to express these notions, they are, of course, free to do so. No one has a monopoly on these notions after all.

"There is naturally nothing wrong with [AKP candidate] Binali Yıldırım's or [MHP Chair] Devlet Bahçeli's use of these notions. It is, in fact, way better if they use these notions more frequently. However, I am sure that it will not have any political response. They must be aware of it as well.

"Those who see the Kurds as simpletons who are very easy to deceive have also been mistaken and they will continue being mistaken. I think the Kurds do not adjust their political attitudes depending on such superficial statements, they heed actions more than words.

"When they look at the actions, they must be seeing atrocity, insult, injustice and war policies everywhere.'

'Manipulative allegations without any foundation'

Concluding his remarks, Selahattin Demirtaş has also referred to the recent allegations that he will be released and the HDP will change its electoral strategy as a result of meetings between Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan and his lawyers.

"The allegations of [electoral] deal are completely manipulative and completely without any foundation", Demirtaş has indicated. (AÖ/SD)