Statement from Avcılar Mayor Hançerli, who was not nominated by CHP

The CHP has nominated Caner Çaykara as its mayoral candidate in Avcılar, replacing the incumbent Mayor Turan Hançerli. Following the announcement of the candidate, numerous association members and hundreds of citizens gathered on Marmara Street in Avcılar to protest the decision and show their support for Turan Hançerli. The citizens expressed their support for Hançerli in unison and carried signs with messages reading 'Turan Hançerli'.

STATEMENT OF DISAPPOINTMENT

In his statement on the matter, Avcılar Mayor Turan Hançerli expressed his disappointment over not being re-nominated, saying, "I have a conviction that there is an injustice here. Because we have done incredibly successful work here.

I am a first-term mayor and I am coming out far ahead in the polls. Urban transformation began to be discussed very intensely after February 6. Urban transformation in Avcılar began after I became mayor in 2019. While everyone in Turkey was saying we must do urban transformation, I was actually doing urban transformation in Avcılar.

We have renewed, transformed, and made more than 20 thousand independent units durable. This decision makes me one of the rare mayors who has implemented a successful urban transformation model, carried out rapid urban transformation based on on-site consensus with the 'Avcılar model', and demolished buildings without conflict or fighting.

I believe this decision was taken against the demand for urban transformation. I believe it is a decision taken against the people of Avcılar. I think this should be reversed. I am expressing this within the framework of respect and democratic principles. Outside of me, hundreds of thousands, tens of thousands of people are expressing it on social media and in the field," he said.

Regarding whether the decision had any connection to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Mayor Hançerli said, "I think it shouldn't be. It shouldn't be like this; these processes should remain in the convention halls. But there are processes and evaluations regarding this. When you examine the evaluations, a decision emerges that there is a share of justification for the decision. I hope that is not the case, or that moves will be made to show that it is not so," he said.

"I HAVE NO INTENTION OF RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT OR FROM ANOTHER PARTY"

Responding to questions about whether he would resign from the party as a result of not being re-nominated, Hançerli said, "I am not considering resigning from the party. I am not considering running as an independent or from another party. I am demanding that this mistake, this incomplete assessment, be corrected.

However, even if it is not corrected, I am stating clearly that I will not resign. I will support the new mayor in areas where I find their work to be correct. I am a person who has struggled throughout my life, a person who has overcome difficulties.

Therefore, it would not suit me to sit on the sidelines in the local elections. Of course, I will have a stance. I will insist on a political understanding that produces real solutions. I will continue to work as mayor or in another capacity to realize this," he said.