CHP Aksu Mayor İsa Yıldırım resigns from his party: The final straw

In a written statement, Yıldırım recalled that he was elected mayor in the 2024 elections with a record 55 percent of the vote.

Citing the events that took place during the district congress as the reason for his resignation, Yıldırım stated the following:

"Unfortunately, despite this great success, we were faced with a district chair who acted with the mindset that 'what matters is my seat.' We struggled against an approach that deliberately restricted the number of party members, blocked new members, and managed the party for personal gain with the mentality of 'let there be fewer members so my seat remains secure.' We are now faced with a district chair who has completely moved away from any thought of increasing the party's votes, the success of the municipality, or serving the public, and who lives only to protect their own seat."

Stating that the events during the congress process were the "final straw," Yıldırım noted the following:

"It is unacceptable for the district chair to make belittling and offensive accusations against our nationalist and conservative voters who cast their ballots for the CHP, with remarks such as 'I have never made the wolf salute in my life.' Yet, these people voted for us without expecting anything in return, simply believing in our honesty and experience. They trusted us, saying, 'These men will work and solve our problems.' However, this attitude of the district chair has caused great resentment among the citizens who voted for us. Since that day, our phones have not stopped ringing. Our nationalist and conservative friends expressed their reactions by saying, 'When we voted for the CHP, we didn't expect anything, we only expected service. But we will never accept being insulted.' After these words, we became unable to make any explanation to our people."

Yıldırım stated, "We do not have a minute to lose with the district chair's ambition for a seat and personal agendas. For this reason, I am resigning from the Republican People's Party, of which I am a member, and I will continue my path as an independent mayor."

News Source: 12punto