Kılıçdaroğlu and İmamoğlu meet in Silivri ahead of critical party congress

Political activity has accelerated within the Republican People's Party (CHP) ahead of the congress scheduled for June 30. Former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu visited Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and the party's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu at Marmara Prison. The meeting took place during a critical period when the cancellation of the 38th CHP Congress is on the agenda.

While no official statement was made following the meeting, there is much speculation in political circles about what the two discussed. Information regarding the details of the meeting was shared on a program broadcast on Sözcü TV.

It was learned that Kılıçdaroğlu made the visit at İmamoğlu's request. It was noted that İmamoğlu wanted to meet following the emergence of an audio recording regarding the congress process, and Kılıçdaroğlu did not turn down this request.

During the meeting, internal party conflicts and certain statements circulating on social media were brought up. İmamoğlu conveyed to Kılıçdaroğlu that such rhetoric developed outside of his own will and that he viewed it as an injustice.

İmamoğlu's following words drew attention: “Sentences like 'We won't let you into the party' are unacceptable. We will never allow this. You are our leader. You have contributed to all of us, to all of us.”...

İmamoğlu emphasized that there is a sense of disarray in the party but that the process must be managed without division. Furthermore, stating “What is done to you is done to us,” he expressed that they need his experience. “There are those who hurt your feelings, but these are outside of my will,” said İmamoğlu, underlining that the party must remain in unity and solidarity.

Kılıçdaroğlu made the following assessment during the meeting:

“This process is a legal process outside of me. I am not the one who is complaining. There is a judicial process ongoing outside of me. What can I do?”

He then added, “I will never put the party in a difficult position. I will never allow those who do so. The CHP is our home. If a duty falls to me, I will do what is necessary. We must complete this process as a whole, without dividing or fragmenting.”

News Source: 12punto