The Mesut Özarslan mystery continues in the People's Alliance... AKP figure announces: 'It has been shelved for now'

The resignation of Ankara Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan from the Republican People's Party (CHP) has caused a wide stir in political circles. Following his resignation, Özarslan's remarks that "neither the AKP nor the MHP are distant to me" have fueled speculation that he will join a new party.

AKP CLAIMS BROUGHT TO THE AGENDA

Numerous reports emerged regarding Mesut Özarslan joining the AKP even before he left the CHP. Allegations that he would join the ruling party in exchange for the closure of corruption files against him, and claims that Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum supported him, have sparked public debate.

MESSAGE CRISIS WITH ÖZEL

During this process, Özarslan, who was stated not to have responded to calls from CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and party officials, made public the messages he claimed were sent to him by Özel. Özel, in turn, detailed the content of these messages during yesterday's group meeting.

BROKE HIS SILENCE WITH A PRESS STATEMENT

Making his first press statement after resigning from the CHP, Özarslan stated that he was raised in a conservative family in Sivas and said:

"In the tradition I was raised in, neither the AKP nor the MHP is distant. We will see. I don't know what the process will show, but I am independent for now. What matters is serving our people in Keçiören."

This statement was interpreted as leaving the door open to both the AKP and the MHP.

NO GREEN LIGHT FROM EITHER AKP OR MHP

Following Özarslan's statements, some figures close to the government expressed that joining the AKP would not be appropriate due to the claims on the agenda and the files being discussed about him.

AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik made the following statement regarding Özarslan's potential participation in the party after the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting:

"Our Chairman and authorized bodies have not evaluated such a matter. As of today, there is no agenda regarding the Keçiören Mayor, and no decision has been made."

MHP FRONT ALSO CLOSES DOORS

Journalist İsmail Saymaz shared the response he received after asking MHP officials about the claims that Mesut Özarslan would join the MHP. Saymaz reported that MHP officials said, "We have no such agenda."

'QUARANTINE' CLAIM FROM ŞAMİL TAYYAR

Another statement regarding Özarslan came from Şamil Tayyar. Tayyar claimed that Özarslan's transition to the AKP had been shelved for now. Tayyar stated that a party source informed him that Özarslan had been placed in "political quarantine" and that this approach was correct.

Following the lack of support from the partners of the People's Alliance, Mesut Özarslan's political future remains uncertain. After all these developments, all eyes have turned to today's AKP group meeting. It is awaited with curiosity whether President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pin a party badge on Özarslan.