Soylu accuses pollster of orchestrating covert operations

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu has ignited controversy by publicly targeting the director of Konda Research, Bekir Agirdır, accusing him of being involved in a “polling mafia” and orchestrating covert operations against Turkey.

"In surveys, half-point or one-point variations are normal. Unfortunately, in Turkey, there is a polling mafia, and this man is a mafia member: Bekir Agirdir. And this man is conducting operations against Turkey. He conducts operations in every election,” Soylu said in a live appearance on Turkey's TV100.

Soylu went further to brand Agirdir as an agent of the international system, insinuating that his actions are aimed at negatively impacting Turkey.

“Turkey must free itself from these individuals,” Soylu said.

Soylu's brazen remarks have added to his growing reputation for making controversial and inflammatory statements.

Last week, Soylu bragged about his authoritarian rule at a rally, declaring that he had succeeded in arresting pro-Kurdish HDP politicians like Selahattin Demirtas "like lambs"