Özgür Özel: 'We are opening the doors of the father's house'

Putting on a cap gifted to him by an audience member, Özel said, "In the 1970s, a CHP chairman wore this hat and led our party to first place in 2 general and 2 local elections. Now, Mayor Ekrem has worn the hat, and he is taking Istanbul on March 31. We are increasing the number of municipalities in Turkey."

Stating that they will win the Osmaniye municipality and its districts in the local elections, Özel thanked the party members who supported him.

''WE WILL WIN MARCH 31''

Expressing that the party is managed by a Party Assembly with an average age of 43 and a Central Executive Board with an average age of 46, Özel said:

"We have appointed a shadow minister for every ministry. Our deputy chairmen will work with great effort and dedication. You will see, first we will win March 31. That is not enough; Mayor Ekrem and Özgür Özel have put on the hats, and we will come to power in the coming period. Together, shoulder to shoulder, we will work very hard until the Republic of Turkey is once again governed by Atatürk's party."

''WE ARE OPENING THE DOORS OF THE FATHER'S HOUSE''

Comparing the CHP to a "father's house," Özel said, "The father's house will now become crowded. It is not a holiday, it is not a festival, there is no election atmosphere yet, but you have filled this square in Osmaniye with the excitement of change. We are opening the doors of the father's house. Anyone who is in a tight spot, anyone who has troubles or worries, returns to the father's house. Because the title deed of the father's house was not with Özgür Özel, nor was it with Mr. Kemal. The title deed of the father's house was not with Ecevit, nor was it with İsmet Pasha. The title deed is registered to one person, and that is Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."

Addressing the Syrian refugees in the city, Özel said, "Peace with Syria must be established as soon as possible, and Syrians must be sent back to their homeland. We must mobilize our country's resources for our own youth and our own poor. I promise you; Osmaniye will continue to be Özgür Özel's hometown from now on."

Addressing Ekrem İmamoğlu on the platform, Özel noted the following:

"If they win the Osmaniye Municipality, shall we make it a sister municipality with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality? He says, 'We will carry out the most beautiful projects.' Save Osmaniye from this management approach that does not work, does not smile, and adds nothing to the city."

VISIT TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Following his program, Özel held a closed-door meeting with CHP Provincial Chairman Mehmet Orhun Döğüşcü. As part of his program in the city, Özel visited the siblings of Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Ökkeş Pehlivan, who was martyred in a clash with terrorists in the Digor district of Kars in 1991, at their home in the Mevlana neighborhood.

Later, Özel went to the Karaçay Container City with his entourage, where he addressed the earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, while traveling from Hatay to Osmaniye, Özel and İmamoğlu took shots on goal and chatted with children playing soccer in the Toprakkale district.