He did not post a congratulatory message: Özgür Çelik responds to the Kılıçdaroğlu question

The highly anticipated Istanbul Provincial Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP) took place yesterday. In the congress, where 196 convention delegates were to be determined alongside the provincial chair, the candidate of the change-seekers, Özgür Çelik, became the CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair by defeating the candidate of the party headquarters, Cemal Canpolat, by a margin of 32 votes. According to the official announcement, Özgür Çelik received 342 votes, while Cemal Canpolat received 310 votes.

Özgür Çelik, who was elected CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair, answered questions from İsmail Küçükkaya on Halk TV.

"HE CONGRATULATED ME BY PHONE"

When reminded that CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had not posted a congratulatory message, Çelik replied, "Our Chairman does not post tweets about success or congratulations regarding congress processes. However, he does congratulate in some way by phone. Therefore, we will certainly be in communication during the day. I know that he does not post tweets regarding other provinces."

"OUR CHAIRMAN CALLED US TO ANKARA BEFORE THE ELECTION"

Stating, "Before the election, our Chairman called both candidates to Ankara," Çelik said, "He held a meeting with both of us on the same day at times close to each other. We both had a photo taken in the same place, with the same background. He told both of us, 'May your path be clear, I wish you success. Be a democratic soldier for Turkey by winning Istanbul for Ekrem İmamoğlu.' A day later, he expressed these sentiments at the Party Assembly."

"TENSIONS CAN RISE AT CONGRESSES"

Stating that tensions can rise from time to time at CHP congresses, Çelik said, "And actually, one might forget that it is open to the press at that moment, and some sentences might be formed. The reason for this rise in tension is, in a way, that the congress race is very exciting. I personally took care to pay maximum attention to this. Such speeches can emerge with the rise of tension. However, these are normal; there is criticism in the CHP culture. All CHP members, including Mr. Cemal Canpolat, know very well how to leave that day there. I entered that hall with 26 district chairs, but I left with 36 district chairs."

STATEMENT ON CEMAL CANPOLAT

"Cemal Canpolat may have made a statement that raised tensions at the congress, but he is a politician who knows the traditions of the CHP," said Çelik, adding the following:

"And last night, after the election board officials announced the results, we left all of that aside. From this stage on, we will engage in intensive work to instill hope from Istanbul to Turkey through a joint struggle, including Mr. Canpolat and the friends who support him."

News Source: 12punto