Statement from Kemal Okuyan on 'Maçoğlu': He named 4 districts in Istanbul

Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) General Secretary Kemal Okuyan responded to claims that Tunceli Mayor Fatih Mehmet Maçoğlu could be a candidate from a district in Istanbul in the March 31 local elections.

Speaking to Egehan Erkün from Tele1.com.tr, Okuyan stated that Maçoğlu's candidacy is being discussed in 4 districts of Istanbul in line with research conducted among voters.

Stating that no final decision has been made yet, Okuyan said, "One of the alternatives is Kadıköy. There is no finalized decision yet. There is such a possibility. We are focusing on a few districts in Istanbul. We are evaluating whether there is an opportunity in Izmir. In Istanbul, we are focusing on Kadıköy, Bakırköy, Şişli, and Üsküdar."

KADIKÖY CLAIM

Stating that research conducted in Kadıköy shows significant demand from voters for Maçoğlu, Okuyan said the following:

"There is such a demand in Kadıköy at the voter level. Therefore, this demand influences us to a certain extent. It is one of the things we will take into consideration. Let's not call it the strongest possibility, but it is one of the strongest."

"IT WILL BE CLEAR WITHIN A FEW DAYS"

Saying, "We have been conducting a survey for a long time," Okuyan added, "Both with him, with the institution he is affiliated with, and as the TKP. It will not take very long. There is no such thing as it being announced on Thursday yet. It will be clear within a few days and we will share it with the public."

WHICH PARTY WILL HE BE A CANDIDATE FROM?

Speaking on the claims that the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) had offered Maçoğlu a candidacy, Okuyan said, "The Workers' Party of Turkey may have made a candidacy offer; it does not concern us. We have been in an evaluation process with Mr. Maçoğlu for months. He himself also expressed that he did not find changing parties to be correct. We are not very interested in these sides. Every party can want it. But we have no official information. Maçoğlu will most likely be a candidate from the TKP."

News Source: 12punto