President Erdo?an hits at HDP mayors

President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an slammed the Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) mayors of the southeastern provinces of Batman and Diyarbak?r for not greeting him at the airport when he arrived in the area on May 2. 

Speaking at an event gathering people from the Black Sea province of Rize, where Erdo?an is from, he said: ?I experienced an incident yesterday [May 2]. I was in Batman and Diyarbak?r. They first said the mayors would come and welcome me at the airport. I told them, ?I too will go to the municipalities and visit them.? At the last moment they said ?an order has come.? What order? From the mountains of Kandil [where outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) is stationed in northern Iraq] or from the headquarters,? said Erdo?an, adding that the HDP mayors had decided not to greet him as they accused him of engaging in politics. 

?They are right when it comes to me being a side. I am siding with the nation. They should know this,? said Erdo?an. 

Batman Mayor Sabri Özdemir and Diyarbak?r co-mayors Gültan K??anak and F?rat Anl? did not show up at their cities? airports to greet him on his arrival on May 2. This was Erdo?an?s first visit to the cities as president. 

?I thought I can pay a visit to the governor?s office and the mayor?s office, but the mayor of Batman did not show the courtesy of greeting me at the airport,? Erdo?an said during a speech in Batman at the inauguration of public facilities in the province. ?Now, as the president, is it right for me to visit the mayor despite their impoliteness?? 

Erdo?an?s speech in Batman was marred by a protest of about 30 workers, who started to shout protest slogans while he was speaking.

?Don?t be ungrateful. You have a job. So don?t show ingratitude,? Erdo?an...