ANKARA - Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy Erkan Mumcu announced his resignation from his party on Tuesday stating that it has become impossible for him to be active in politics as long as he stays in the ANAP.
Speaking at a press conference at Parliament, Mumcu said that he didn't regard politics as a carrier struggle and that he decided to resign from the ANAP by rejecting some attractive carrier offers.
Mumcu indicated that he would continue to be active in politics. ''I will stick with my principles no matter what party I decide to join,'' he said.
''I openly expressed my views at the party meeting on May 19, 2002 at Bilkent Hotel and I paid its cost. If my words were listened to, they could have been an important chance both for Turkey and for the ANAP. I wanted our party to display a policy that is focused on society. Unfortunately, the party's alliance centered attitude led Turkey and the ANAP to this point.
When asked if there's a party that conforms to his principles, Mumcu said he will make a decision soon. He declined to answer when he was asked if this party could be the Justice and Development Party (AK).
When asked if public surveys stating that ANAP would not be able pass the threshold were influential in his decision for resignation, Mumcu said, ''I had foreseen this three years ago, and I did my best to prevent this.''
Mumcu said he did not suggest resignation to any of his friends.
-RECENT SITUATION IN THE PARLIAMENT-
Distribution of chairs following Mumcu's resignation is as follows:
MHP : 124
DYP : 85
ANAP : 73
YTP : 62
DSP : 58
AK Party : 55
SP : 46
BBP : 4
TDP : 3
YP : 3
CHP : 2
INDEPEN : 21
VACANT : 14
TOTAL : 550