First statement on resignations at CHP-run Beykoz Municipality: We had objected

CHP's Taştan stated regarding the resignation of Beykoz Deputy Mayor Özlem Vural Gürzel and 3 council members, "Intense pressure was applied by the Headquarters to place Özlem Vural Gürzel in the 1st or 2nd spot. Our Mayor, Mr. Alaattin Köseler, and I had clearly objected to this situation," he said.

Speaking at a meeting held at the CHP district headquarters, Taştan explained that while determining the municipal council member candidates during the election period, they advocated for the inclusion of names who knew the district's problems and dynamics on the list.

Stating that they faced pressure from the CHP Headquarters during the list determination process, Taştan said, "Intense pressure was applied by the Headquarters to place Özlem Vural Gürzel in the 1st or 2nd spot. Our Mayor, Mr. Alaattin Köseler, and I had clearly objected to this situation. During long discussions that lasted until the morning, it was stated that the list would only be accepted this way, and despite all our objections, Özlem Vural Gürzel was added to the council member list in the 5th spot," he spoke.

Taştan expressed that Gürzel's election as deputy mayor following Mayor Köseler's arrest and suspension from duty was also a result of an approach that ignored Beykoz's sensitivities.

Emphasizing that this decision caused great disappointment for them, Taştan noted that information regarding the negative developments and problems emerging in the district was regularly conveyed to the CHP Provincial Presidency and the Headquarters.

Taştan argued that those who resigned from the CHP during this process should also resign from their municipal council memberships.

CHP Deputy Chair Sevgi Kılıç also attended the meeting, where some party members reacted to the resigning council members and the party administration.