Controversial move by CHP candidate: First opposed, then visited

CHP Odunpazarı Mayor Kazım Kurt visited the Hicret Association, which is affiliated with the İsmailağa sect, in the Emek neighborhood. It was learned that Kurt, who requested votes from the sect for himself and for the CHP Metropolitan Mayoral Candidate Ayşe Ünlüce, reacted to those who criticized him.

Kazım Kurt's visit to the sect caused reactions, particularly among the public in Eskişehir. Kurt, however, defended the visit. Sharing footage on his social media account of himself answering questions on the subject during appearances on local television, Kurt wrote the following:

“My visit to the Hicret Association has led to different interpretations. We have visited all mosque associations. We go wherever we are invited to explain our views. I am a person who believes in a democratic, secular, social state of law and fights for it. Everyone knows this. This needs to be explained to those people. We do not go to certain foundations or associations to say, 'We will open the doors of the municipality wide to you,' like others do. We go to explain our own views.”

“The Republican People's Party's mayoral candidate has the courage to go to such associations and chat with them, and possesses the religious culture to engage in conversation. If necessary, he also has the knowledge to sit down and debate with them.”

HE HAD OPPOSED IT BEFORE

The Eskişehir media, however, recalled the statements Kurt had previously made against sects. It was noted on the Eskisehir.net website that Kurt had previously used the following words:

“If the municipality passes to the AKP, most of these will come back. One sect goes, another comes. We have opened a public center in 18 different neighborhoods, where the children of the poor and needy are currently studying. The people of Eskişehir will not allow organic ties with sects.”

News Source: 12punto