The uproar caused by Cemal Canpolat continues: Intra-party feud becomes fodder for the AKP

The remarks made by Cemal Canpolat, one of the candidates who became the center of controversy with his statements at the Republican People's Party (CHP) 38th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress, have reached the Parliament. Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said regarding CHP-run municipalities, "Their only agenda is who will ride the elevators of the municipalities. Today, they have no other concern than protecting their seats, their interests, and their political futures."

'IMPERTINENT, WE WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY'

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır responded to the retaliation from the ruling party regarding Canpolat in Parliament with the following words:

''You are going to ask about the Istanbul Provincial Congress, but let me answer before you ask. One of the candidates came out. He said, 'I am giving a job list to Ekrem İmamoğlu, he is not hiring.' Erdoğan shared this in his group speech, and I thank him very much. CHP municipalities do not do business with lists. Whoever the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is, they give the sustenance and budget of Istanbul to the 16 million residents of Istanbul. You are not used to this, of course; in your era, money was going to foundations. One of our friends was bothered by this. We will put that impertinent person in their place. What is necessary will be done. Mersin, Adana, Istanbul, Ankara... Business is not done with lists; our ethics do not allow it.''

On the other hand, Cemal Canpolat's words targeting Ekrem İmamoğlu were also brought to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Council by AKP council members. AKP Council Member Ali Rıza Teke submitted a parliamentary question regarding the allegations made by CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair candidate Cemal Canpolat about IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The motion includes the following statements:

• “How many delegates have been hired by IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to work in the IMM and its subsidiaries? Will it be disclosed whether there are any delegates working in the IMM Presidency other than the delegates reflected in the media?

• Has any promise other than job guarantees been made by IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to ensure the election of Özgür Çelik, whose candidacy for CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair was supported and who was elected? Which positions in the IMM Presidency have been reserved for delegates?”