Our votes are not enough to declare autonomy: Altan Tan

AFTER THE LOUDSPEAKERS REALISTIC VOICES ON STAGE

17-4-2014 – Kurdpress – Pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Diyarbakir Deputy Altan Tan believes his party’s votes in the March 30 local elections are not enough to declare autonomy in the Kurdish regions of the country.

In 16 Kurdish provinces we achieved 1845000 votes and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) gained 1830000 votes and that means that our votes are not enough to declare autonomy in the region, Tan told al-Jazeera Turkish in an exclusive interview.

“If our party is to democratize Turkey it should win at least 10 to 15 percents of the votes,” he added, noting that his party needs to change its present policy and pay more attention to the religious Kurds in Turkey.

Tan also said the AKP votes in the western provinces of Turkey prove that people back the Ankara peace negotiation with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Kurdish deputies’ travel to Imrali Island, where the PKK leader is jailed, is welcomed by people.Tan further lashed out at his party’s policies and said the BDP should change old ways as the Kurdish issue and the struggle to achieve Kurds rights have changed and a new policy is needed to be adopted.  The Kurdish religious deputy added he is against his party’s possible support from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to run for the country’s presidency, reiterating that Erdogan did not change Turkey constitution, and made laws which granted especial authorities to Intelligence Organization (MIT), made restrictions on the internet and his regional policies has not been successful.