Lütfü Türkkan responds to claims he will join the CHP

Speaking on the program Taksim Meydanı with Gürkan Hacır, İYİ Party member Türkkan denied the claims that he would join the CHP, stating: "I did not join the İYİ Party to become an MP. I have never left for another party just because I felt offended or hurt. There would have to be very serious ideological differences. I would express that seriously. There is nothing of the sort happening right now."

Key highlights from Lütfü Türkkan's statements are as follows:

EVALUATED THE ERDOĞAN-AKŞENER MEETING

I had no prior knowledge of the Erdoğan-Akşener meeting. This is also the first time I have seen Akşener with this hairstyle. Later, Dervişoğlu also stated that he was unaware of it.

In my opinion, this was not a political meeting. If it is a personal meeting, there is no need to inform the party. People have friendships, and these friends can also be political figures.

I do not think a political meeting would take place within 35 minutes. When two people come together, politics was surely discussed; I have no doubt about that. I don't think there is any harm in the meeting.

"IF AKŞENER NEEDED ME, SHE WOULD HAVE CALLED"

My relationship with Akşener is not strained; we did not have a falling out. We haven't had the opportunity to come together. We did not meet at all during the party congress process. If she had such a need, she would have called. I expressed that she should not leave the party. I said that it was not right to step down from the chairmanship during such a period. I still do not accept that she left.

SPOKE ON CLAIMS OF JOINING THE CHP

I did not join the İYİ Party to become an MP. I have never gone to another party saying I was offended or upset. There would have to be very serious ideological differences.

I would express that seriously. There is nothing of the sort happening right now. I think some friends are being unfair regarding Mr. Müsavat.

Recovering from a loss of votes is a difficult task. It is very difficult to pursue a new political understanding. I find Koray Aydın's statement untimely.

"RIGHT-WING PARTIES ARE KNOWN BY THEIR LEADERS"

My preference was Meral Akşener; I wish she hadn't left. I stated this when the first congress decision was made. Right-wing parties are known by their leaders. These are the traditions of a right-wing party. An İYİ Party without Akşener is difficult to manage. I don't know if she will return now or not. I don't know if it would be right for her to return. I think it was not right for her to step down during that process.

"A NEW CONSTITUTION IS A RED LINE FOR ME"

If Müsavat Dervişoğlu attempts to make a decision to support the new constitution with the parliamentary group, I am saying here and now that I will not support it. I am not even in favor of discussing the constitution. Saying 'let's discuss the parliamentary system' means 'let's discuss a new constitution.' The issue of a new constitution is a red line for me.

"THE ALLIANCE WITH THE CHP COULD HAVE BEEN EVALUATED"

After Özgür Özel became the CHP Chairman, the alliance with the CHP could have been re-evaluated. The decision made before that could have been put back on the table. I think we were wrong there. I told this to Akşener.

"AKŞENER SHOULD NOT HAVE LEFT"

I don't know if Akşener will come back, but if she does, they will ask her why she left. I think Akşener should not have left. I don't want to talk about her coming back.

News Source: 12punto