Müslim Sarı, spokesperson for the absolute 'butlan' (nullity) administration within the CHP, sent a message to the YENİ Party regarding a potential election that could come to the agenda for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) presidency should the prison sentence and political ban ruling against Ekrem İmamoğlu be finalized.
Speaking at the CHP Gaziantep Provincial Headquarters, Sarı responded to a question regarding whether the resignation of some council members to join the YENİ Party, following the 'butlan' administration's Central Executive Board (MYK) decision to expel two IMM council members, would affect a potential IMM mayoral election.
Stating that they emphasize the importance of acting together in elections that may arise against the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı), Sarı said, "We believe that cooperating, acting together, and meeting on a common ground is important."
Stating that the balance of the municipal council in Istanbul has changed, Sarı argued that the fragmentation within the opposition should not lead to the IMM passing to the AKP. Sarı recalled that cooperation had been established in some past municipal elections in Istanbul and in the Union of Municipalities election.
Expressing that the support given to figures in the YENİ Party has not been sufficiently understood, Sarı said, "Despite this ground for cooperation, there is, of course, a limit to our patience. No one should test the limits of our patience either," he said.
Stating that they were forced to expel two metropolitan council members at the last MYK meeting, Sarı noted that one of these individuals was the CHP group spokesperson and the other was the group deputy chair. Sarı argued that the members in question "did not have political allegiance to the Republican People's Party (CHP)."
Sarı stated that some municipal council members had left the CHP and turned to another party, adding that everyone is free to be where they wish to engage in politics. However, he emphasized that the ground for cooperation must be preserved in a potential Istanbul election.
Expressing that as the CHP, they will continue all necessary cooperation to ensure the IMM is not lost to the People's Alliance and the AKP, Sarı said that they are ready to cooperate if the figures who moved to the YENİ Party also wish to act together in the struggle against the AKP.
Stating that if an opposing stance is taken, the political responsibility will belong to the individuals concerned, Sarı used the expression, "The political consequences of the steps they take in this direction belong to them."
News Source: 12punto
