Breaking News... Erdoğan announces the number of attendees at the congress! Takes a jab at CHP over their party convention: 'We have brought this process to this day without any controversy'

The AKP 8th Ordinary Grand Congress is taking place at the Ankara Sports Hall.

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the party members who came to follow the congress outside before moving into the congress hall.

JAB AT CHP OVER PARTY CONVENTION

Making a reference to the investigation launched into the CHP's party convention, Erdoğan said, "We are successfully completing our congress marathon, which we started on October 12, with the grand congress we are about to hold. We have brought this process to this day without any controversy."

ANNOUNCES THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES AT THE CONGRESS

Erdoğan stated that the attendance outside was 60,000 with the words, "I asked what the attendance was outside right now. The answer came... Yes, this attendance outside is 60,000... Thank God, we do not let snow, blizzard, or storm stop us."

Highlights from Erdoğan's speech are as follows:

"I greet you with respect and affection. You have come from all four corners of Turkey, from Edirne to Kars. You did not leave us alone on this happy day. You have turned Ankara into a festival ground of democracy with your love and enthusiasm that does not fit into the halls.

"WE HAVE REACHED THIS DAY WITHOUT FIGHTS OR CONTROVERSY"

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring our congress and for your loyalty. May the Lord make this love eternal. As members of a movement with 'AK' (Clean/White) in its name, we are proud and happy today. We are successfully completing our congress marathon with our grand congress. We have brought it to this day in a climate of brotherhood befitting the AK Party, without fights, without noise, and most importantly, without any controversy. We have strengthened the bridges of hearts with our nation and conducted our own internal self-assessment. We say 'Bismillah' (In the name of God) to a new era.

EMPHASIS ON 2053 AND 2071

When I see the attendance in front of me right now, I praise my Lord. Look at this beauty, look at this participation. The soldiers of this cause do not let the cold or anything stop them. They do not let snow, blizzard, or storm stop them; they continue on their path. Our goal is to have a place in the hearts of the nation and to be worthy of the nation's prayers. I ask them to maintain this vision and this understanding. I ask for more effort from you than ever before. Dear youth, are you ready to protect the sacred trust you have inherited to the end? You will bring Turkey together with the 2053 and then the 2071 vision.

My sisters, who are the cornerstones of our AK Party, a movement without you can never achieve success. A struggle that women do not support and protect cannot succeed. You will carry this cause, which you have woven for 24 years, to much higher levels.

60 THOUSAND PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE HALL

I asked what the attendance was outside, and this attendance outside is 60,000. Thank God, we do not let snow, blizzard, or storm stop us. I trust you. I am infinitely grateful to my Lord for granting me companions like you.

I do not want to keep my brothers and sisters in the hall waiting any longer. We will have a long conversation in our congress speech shortly. May the Lord be our helper. May our congress be auspicious for our country, our nation, and our party. I offer my gratitude to each and every one of you."

News Source: 12punto