By KUNA,
Ankara : Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was Monday quoted saying he was to quit if his party failed to top the local elections due in March, in remarks during a visit to India.
The local press quoted the leader saying “I have never been daunted by hardships and I will never be demoralized. I have no fears about getting more votes. If my nation decided to remove me from government, this is what I will accept readily. I will never do anything to maintain the government, and frankly, I will quit the party leadership if my party comes second in the elections.” This comes as Turkish parties ready themselves for elections in some 80 cities, the results of which are considered a measure of parties’ popularity ahead of the general elections which are held every four years.
Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) had in 2004 snatched 42 percent of the votes and municipal seats in 57 cities, and the vote was seen as public endorsement of the ruling party’s policies after a year and a half in power.
The party also succeeded in getting public approval following winning seats in these cities, particularly regarding improvement in services and overall organization and management.