CHP Leader Özel says 'They will never take Istanbul again': 'We are not bending an inch'

Following the arrest of Ahmet Özer and his removal from the post of Mayor of Esenyurt, the "TBMM Group Working and Evaluation Meeting," which the CHP had planned to hold in Antalya, is being held in Istanbul.

Speaking at the meeting held at a hotel in Avcılar, Özel said, "We are determined not to take our hands off Esenyurt until we repel the coup against the will of the Esenyurt voters, and until we turn away empty-handed that hand that intends to reach out to the will of the voters in Istanbul and Turkey."

Stating that the country is going through a period where the principles of the rule of law are being trampled upon, Özel continued:

"The mayor of Turkey's largest district applied to the state 7-8 months ago and said, 'I want to be a candidate from my party in Esenyurt.' Due to the upcoming elections, the people of Esenyurt asked the state within the established public order: 'I want to elect a mayor for this city, which candidates are suitable? If there is anyone with dirt, crimes, or obstacles to being elected in their past, do not put them in front of me.' The state gave Ahmet Özer a clean record and said, 'You are in a position to be mayor.' It told the people of Esenyurt, 'You can choose one of these candidates. I am printing the ballot and putting it in front of you. I guarantee that these people are not terrorists,' it said, printed the ballot, and sent it. And the people of Esenyurt elected Ahmet Özer. The candidate shown by Erdoğan received half the votes he did."

Stating that a district of those whose hopes were stolen was created while Esenyurt's population was being brought to 1 million, Özel said:

"Istanbul has a 40th district. Those living in that district have no title deeds, no homes, and no state to turn to when they apply. There are also 30 thousand housing victims in Esenyurt. They could not take this Esenyurt, and they will not be able to. They could not take Istanbul again, and they will not be able to. That is why we went to the nation on March 31 and said, 'You decide.' This is an activity against the decision of the nation. Ahmet Özer is a symbol, an icon, a victim. The main issue is not Ahmet Özer or the Republican People's Party, whom they are trying to dictate to by using the unfair, unlawful, and unconstitutional authority granted to the Ministry of Interior during the State of Emergency, to take from the nation what the nation did not do, through a trustee. We are the ones they are struggling against, trying to break our backs and bend our necks. We are not bending an inch. We are not taking a step back. The 1 million residents of Esenyurt and the 16 million residents of Istanbul are the ones they are trying to dictate to."

"WE WILL NEVER REFRAIN FROM TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also argued that Turkey is passing through a historic crossroads and is facing a picture of collapse in every field.

Stating that citizens are reminding the CHP of its responsibilities in such an environment, İmamoğlu said, "Young, old, woman, man, easterner, westerner, poor, rich, and everyone has frankly opened their eyes and ears to us and is following what we are doing."

İmamoğlu said, "The goal is to show the CHP as powerless and to amplify internal conflicts within the party. Do not forget that they are trying to make us drift, to get us off our path by dividing, fragmenting, frightening, and scattering us. Do not forget that they are trying to make us lose our focus, give up on our goal of power, become a chronic opposition party, and establish a near-permanent rule by imposing their own regime and system on this country. We will never refrain from embracing society, being a voice for their voices, and taking responsibility," he said.

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik said, "We will be in Esenyurt with our district chairmen, and at certain stages with our mayors, our deputies, and every level of our organization. We will continue our struggle against the trustee coup struck against the national will at the highest level."

Following the speeches, the meeting moved to a closed-door session.