10.02.2026 00:40
While the repercussions of Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan's resignation from the CHP continue, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın vented his frustrations about his party during a program he attended. Stating, "It is time for us to make a self-criticism, including all these candidate selection methods," Günaydın added, "Making such people hold positions in the Republican People's Party does not serve the salvation of the country."
Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan announced yesterday that he has resigned from the Republican People's Party, making serious allegations against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in his resignation statement.
Following Özarslan's resignation, who has been in the news for some time with claims that he would switch to the AK Party, lively days are being experienced in the CHP.
HARSH WORDS FROM THE GROUP VICE-CHAIRMAN TO HIS PARTY
Notable remarks following Özarslan's resignation came from CHP Group Vice-Chairman Gökhan Günaydın. In a television program he attended, Günaydın stated, "I am the group vice-chairman of this party. I have also served as a member of parliament for Ankara in the past. Keçiören was my election district in the 2nd region. Do you think I have never entered the Keçiören Municipality until today? I have never knocked on its door, I have never interacted with the person called Mesut Özarslan. Because I know the character of the person in front of me. This is not a surprise for me," he said.
"IT'S TIME FOR SELF-CRITICISM"
Günaydın, who stated that his party needs to engage in self-criticism, said, "It is time for us to conduct a self-criticism, including all these candidate selection methods. Making such people hold positions in the Republican People's Party does not serve the salvation of the country," he also remarked.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan announced yesterday that he has resigned from the Republican People's Party, making serious allegations against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in his resignation statement.
Özarslan claimed that Özgür Özel insulted him and noted: "These messages contain insults, threats, and slanders that are incompatible with political courtesy, party ethics, public responsibility, and humanity. I ask; does a chairman insult a mayor? Does a chairman insult by targeting family values? Does a chairman threaten with unmentionable words?
Especially in the face of messages that mix my family values and my sacred existence, my mother and my late father; with all due respect and love for the Republican People's Party voters, it is out of the question for me to serve in the ranks of the Republican People's Party anymore," he expressed. Özarslan also stated that he would submit Özel's messages to the prosecutor's office.