Ahmet Özer rift in CHP: Resignation claim regarding Mansur Yavaş, who did not attend the Esenyurt rally

CHP's Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was detained on allegations of "being a member of the PKK/KCK armed terrorist organization," has been arrested. Following Özer's arrest, a trustee was appointed to the Esenyurt Municipality.

The arrest of Özer and the appointment of a trustee to the Esenyurt Municipality drew sharp reactions from the CHP and the DEM Party.

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş, who drew attention with his silence regarding Özer, broke his silence after the trustee was appointed to the municipality. In his statement, Yavaş asked, "It is stated that the allegations were identified by going back 5-10 years. Why was it waited until this date?"

Drawing attention to the reports in pro-government media that "a trustee has been appointed to Esenyurt Municipality" before the arrest warrant for Özer was even issued, Yavaş stated, "The fact that this claim has materialized shows that the political dimension of the matter has become undeniable."

CHP district organizations, mayors, and members of parliament held a rally in Esenyurt. The DEM Party also participated in the rally. ABB Mayor Mansur Yavaş, Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, and Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan did not attend the rally.

12punto had announced that Mansur Yavaş would not attend the Esenyurt rally because he was scheduled to attend a funeral program in the afternoon.

A notable assessment came from journalist Fatih Portakal regarding Yavaş's absence from the rally. Portakal said, "Let me tell you the scenario from here on out. There could be an IYI Party or a Victory Party (Zafer Partisi) group that wants to make Mansur Yavaş resign from the CHP and pull him into their own camp."

Here are the highlights from Portakal's statement:

"Now, I really want to know your stance. Are you behind your mayor or not, Mr. Mansur? Everyone knows your nationalist and idealist (ülkücü) background. We also acknowledge that you are an honest mayor, but as far as I can see, you do not want to be in the same frame as those from the DEM Party.

"AT LEAST LET YOUR STANCE BE CLEAR"

I can sympathize with him; he has a stance due to his nationalist identity and he never compromises on it, but then you have to make a decision. Will you stay in this party, or you can go to other parties."

"You can resign and continue as an independent, but at least let your stance be clear. Are you behind the mayor or not? That is what I am curious about. The Chairman is there, Ekrem İmamoğlu is there...

Already with his current attitude, Mansur Yavaş has fallen one step further behind in the CHP in the presidential race as I see it. Mr. Mansur, you have to be clear.

"MAKE HIM RESIGN FROM CHP..."

Let me tell you the scenario from here on out. There could be an IYI Party or a Victory Party group that wants to make Mansur Yavaş resign from the CHP and pull him into their own camp. They might want to pull him into other movements within the conservative nationalist camp. On one side Ekrem İmamoğlu, on one side Mansur Yavaş, and on one side Recep Tayyip Erdoğan...

A CHP that is intended to be fragmented, this could also be the big game."