The story behind Maçoğlu's Kadıköy candidacy revealed

Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) General Secretary Kemal Okuyan has explained the background behind Tunceli Mayor Fatih Mehmet Maçoğlu’s candidacy for Kadıköy.

Kemal Okuyan made the following statements to Sözcü columnist Aytunç Erkin:

"WITHOUT DISCUSSING THE DETAILS, A 'KADIKÖY CANDIDATE' SITUATION SUDDENLY EMERGED"

"Kadıköy was not our preference. Of course, it is not a district that had never been mentioned. They had been telling us about such a situation for a long time, and we had suggested different provinces or districts. There were Kartal, Maltepe, and Sarıgazi. Then, when Kadıköy came up, we put forward some alternatives. Normally, this announcement should have been made together with us, or the TKP should have made it. Without discussing the details or finalizing the Kadıköy issue, a 'Kadıköy candidate' situation suddenly emerged. The normal way for this to happen would have been for us to make the announcement together after clarifying certain issues. While we were evaluating the matter, it suddenly came onto the public agenda. Our evaluation process was still ongoing. It is not that Kadıköy is out of the question. But in a place like Kadıköy, which is challenging and has very complex characteristics, we would naturally want to establish the groundwork for serious work first. We cannot just rush into the district without this foundation being formed.

"THERE IS NO CONCLUDED PROCESS FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE"

“Statements like 'What are you doing in Kadıköy, peasant, stay in your village' also provoke us. We stand very firm on this issue. We will fight against this rhetoric that treats the country as one's own private property and then talks about pluralism. But right now, we are conducting an evaluation. This is an evaluation regarding whether we can carry out a healthy campaign or not. The TKP has a program, and we have candidates in other places. There is no concluded process from our perspective. Still, I want to say this: The current picture is a separate issue. We will disrupt this strange campaign launched against Maçoğlu and the left in general.

"I CAN REVEAL HOW MANY OF THE CURRENT MAYORS DID NOT GROW UP IN THEIR OWN REGIONS"

(On the criticism of 'Why not a district where there is poverty') There are poor people living in Kadıköy, but no one talks about this. The middle classes leave their mark on the cultural and ideological line of Kadıköy, but this does not mean that this district is not poor. Secondly, yes, there are poorer districts in Istanbul. Why Kadıköy? Let me underline that our evaluation is continuing. However... There are those who see the idea of socialism as authentic or folkloric. They say, 'Oh, how nice, Tunceli/Dersim is far away anyway, and the man is likable, let them take that place.' We have to break this. For us, it is also teamwork. They say, 'What does Maçoğlu know about Kadıköy?' I can reveal how many of the current mayors did not grow up in their own regions. If Maçoğlu's candidacy in Kadıköy is finalized, our task is to set out with a strong team. What I don't understand is this: The TKP has always fielded candidates in Kadıköy. Today they say 'get out and leave,' and I ask: What are they afraid of? If it belongs to the CHP, they will win anyway.

"MAÇOĞLU'S CANDIDACY CAME TO THE AGENDA AND THEY FELT UNCOMFORTABLE"

Fatih Maçoğlu's candidacy came to the agenda and they felt uncomfortable. Because they will have to act a bit more like leftists, they will choose candidates more carefully. They had names from the business world in their minds. Their peace was disturbed. We know all of this, but we will still make our decision with maturity.

"FOR MAÇOĞLU, THE TKP AND KADIKÖY WERE CLEAR"

(On Maçoğlu's request) He is clear on two points: The TKP and Kadıköy. That has been his personal assessment for a long time. It has also been rumored for a long time that Maçoğlu would run in the election from other parties. We, for example, did not bring this to the agenda, even though we knew Maçoğlu's inclination. For Maçoğlu, there has been clarity regarding the TKP and Kadıköy for a long time, but we had suggested other districts or other alternatives. We had said it could be in Istanbul or İzmir, or in a place where the ruling party is strong. It is not about avoiding the reaction of the CHP; we had even suggested Şişli."

News Source: 12punto