Ali Bülbül: 'My candidacy has nothing to do with Nazmi Arif's removal from the candidate list'

Ali Bülbül, the MeRA25 party's candidate for the parliament from Rhodope, issued a written statement about his candidacy.

Bülbül stated that he needed to make a written statement due to the recent news about his candidacy that could create a negative perception, and stated that his candidacy had nothing to do with Nazmi Arif's removal from the list.

Ali Bülbül also noted that the MeRA25 party did not file an objection petition against any name after the announcement of its first candidates in the Rhodope province.

Ali Bülbül stated the following in his written statement:

“First of all, my candidacy for parliament has nothing to do with the removal of Mr. Nazmi Arif from the candidate list.
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fter the meeting to be held on Sunday, April 23, when his candidacy for parliament was valid, it was conveyed to me by the staff of the party that I would be one of the two names in the list of candidates for the Rhodope deputy of the MeRA 25 vacant.

I said that we looked positively on the nomination offer presented to me and they stated that they were very happy that I accepted this offer.

I learned in the hours after the meeting that the final decision was made that Nazmi Arif was removed from the list of candidates.

I would also like to state that after the announcement of the first candidates of MeRA25, I respected the decision of the party and I did not have any objection or opposition against any name.”

Emphasizing that the party has been in Mera25 since its establishment, Ali Bülbül continued his statement as follows:

“There is nothing more natural than the fact that the MeRA25 party, which I have been involved in since its establishment, wants to nominate me.

The allegation that I was deceived by someone with the promise of candidacy is understood as words that belittle the minority youth.

Just as I do not need anyone's help to be a candidate, the party staff have been my supporters from the very beginning of the process.

Those who consider the struggle for minority rights only for themselves, ignoring my struggle on this issue since the day I became a member of the party, and experience a mental eclipse.
The people who make these accusations to me do not know how we supported and defended the articles in the party program supporting the associations that were closed because of the word Turk, the right of the mufti to be elected by the members of the minorities, and the freedom of the minority to express their Turkish identity individually or collectively in the discussions before the party congress in 2021.

No one should doubt that I will give the best response to such accusations with my actions and stance.

I felt the need to make this statement because of the news in the minority press that could create a negative perception about me.

I will continue to do the right thing in all circumstances, defend minority rights within the framework of human rights and international law, and fight for a different political understanding in our society.”