Behind the Scenes: İmamoğlu's 'party congress' remarks cause unease in CHP! Here is the story behind the Mansur Yavaş visit...

Debates over a party congress continue within the Republican People's Party (CHP).

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu made the following statement regarding the congress discussions within the party: "A process is being managed regarding our party, which is being subjected to rumors that 'a congress could happen at any moment.' It is crystal clear that the source of these rumors is circles outside the party, but it is the duty of all of us not to add fuel to the fire of these rumors."

Following this statement by İmamoğlu, CHP Bursa Deputy and Party Assembly (PM) Member Orhan Sarıbal drew attention to the duties of mayors in a post on his social media account, stating: "Discussing our party's congress process solely on the axis of the chairmanship or party management, and ignoring the feelings and demands of our grassroots, is unacceptable."

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, İmamoğlu's statement regarding the congress debates has caused unease within the CHP.

Some deputies, who supported Sarıbal's post and reacted to İmamoğlu, also requested during a closed-door meeting held with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel during the week that these discussions be addressed in a separate meeting.

A NOTABLE VISIT AMIDST CONGRESS DEBATES

While the repercussions of these events continue within the party, the visit of CHP deputies Hasan Öztürkmen, Ali Öztunç, Nermin Yıldırım Kara, Mustafa Adıgüzel, Ali Karaoba, and Barış Bektaş to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş drew attention.

Bugün CHP Milletvekillerimiz Barış Bektaş, Ali Öztunç, Nermin Yıldırım Kara, Mustafa Adıgüzel, Hasan Öztürkmen ve Ali Karaoba’yı belediyemizde ağırladık. Nazik ziyaretleri için kendilerine teşekkür ediyorum. pic.twitter.com/uTPAIWYYWV

— Mansur Yavaş 2024 (@mansuryavas23) December 5, 2024

It was claimed that the visit was read as "a message signaling support for an alternative candidate against İmamoğlu's move." The deputies who visited Yavaş also stated regarding the meeting: "It was not a specifically planned visit. We had been wanting to visit for a long time to show support against the obstacles and pressures placed on municipalities. From now on, we will provide more support to the municipal services he performs in the field. We will make them visible. We will make the CHP felt more by his side."

Responding to the criticisms from the management that "they are harming the party," the deputies noted the following:

"While the party should have been gaining momentum since the local elections, it appears that this is not the case in the field. We are offering criticism directed at this, but we are told 'You are harming the party.' If things go wrong in the future, they will ask, 'Why didn't you criticize these things at the time?' However, Mr. Ekrem also tells us 'Do not harm the party.' Yet, while people say 'there is an image of dual-headedness' regarding the party, these moves made by Mr. Ekrem also fuel the criticisms. This also harms the party."

News Source: 12punto