İYİ Party figures walk out of AKP congress: 'Contrary to voter will'

The AKP held its 8th Ordinary Grand Congress at the Ankara Indoor Sports Hall. During the congress, the party's new Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK) members were determined, and it was announced that badges would be pinned on deputies who had recently resigned from the İYİ Party to join the AKP. This development drew a reaction from the İYİ Party officials attending the congress.

İYİ PARTY'S OFLUOĞLU AND AKDOĞAN WALK OUT OF THE CONGRESS

İYİ Party Deputy Chairmen Kevser Ofluoğlu and Alper Akdoğan, who were attending the congress, left the hall in protest once it was confirmed that badges would be pinned on the deputies who had left the İYİ Party.

In a statement regarding the matter, Ofluoğlu indicated that they took this stance out of respect for the İYİ Party's political ethics and the will of the voters.

''THIS IS, TO PUT IT MILDLY, VOTER FRAUD''

Ofluoğlu made the following remarks regarding the events at the congress:

"As the İYİ Party, we view respect for political ethics and the will of the voters as a fundamental principle. We attended the 8th Ordinary Congress upon the invitation of the AK Party and, out of courtesy, waited for their Chairman to finish his speech. Before the congress, there were rumors that some deputies from the İYİ Party would join the AKP, but there was no clear information. When it was confirmed during the congress that these deputies would join the AK Party and be pinned with badges, we left the hall to protest this situation, with the knowledge of our Chairman, Mr. Müsavat Dervişoğlu.

"This is, to put it mildly, voter fraud. As the İYİ Party, we will continue to carry our party badge, the symbol of the sun, with our honor, our dignity, our integrity, and by standing tall. We will not compromise our political understanding that prioritizes the interests of the Turkish nation and state. To those who are leaving, goodbye and good luck."

NAMES JOINING THE AKP ANNOUNCED

There were notable names on the AKP's new MKYK list. Deputies who recently resigned from the İYİ Party—Dursun Ataş, İdris Nebi Hatipoğlu, Kürşad Zorlu, Seyithan İzsiz, and Ünal Karaman—were included in the AKP's management staff.

Additionally, Mustafa Nedim Yamalı and Serap Yazıcı Özbudun, who left the Future Party (Gelecek Partisi), were also included in the MKYK. Former Beyoğlu Mayor Haydar Ali Yıldız, former Üsküdar Mayor Hilmi Türkmen, Turkish Wushu Kung Fu Federation Deputy Chairman Abdurrahman Akyüz, communications professor Zakir Avşar, and former footballer Mesut Özil were among the names who found a place in the AKP's new management.

News Source: 12punto