09.02.2026 07:00
The decision of Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan to resign from the CHP has caused a significant public reaction, while his words, "Can a party leader insult a mayor? Can a party leader target family values and insult?" have made headlines. CHP leader Özel, responding to Özarslan's statements, said, "He is lying, he is saying 'He insulted my family, my mother, my father,' but there is no such thing."
CHP's Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan announced his resignation from the CHP through a statement on his social media account. Özarslan's statement drew attention with the phrases, "Can a party leader insult a mayor? Can a party leader target family values and insult? Can a party leader threaten with words that cannot be uttered?"
"CAN A PARTY LEADER INSULT A MAYOR?"
One of the striking points in Özarslan's statement was the expressions he used towards CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Özarslan stated, "I ask; Can a party leader insult a mayor? Can a party leader target family values and insult? Can a party leader threaten with words that cannot be uttered? Especially in the face of messages where my family values and my sacred existence, my mother and my late father are even mixed up;
As long as my respect and love for the voters of the Republican People's Party remain, it is out of the question for me to serve in the ranks of the Republican People's Party. Although my only priority is to serve Keçiören, I have come to the conclusion that it is not possible for me to perform my duties in a healthy way in an environment dominated by the style and understanding present in the messages."
RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION "WILL YOU JOIN THE AK PARTY?"
While Özarslan's resignation stirred politics; Özarslan made new statements by participating in a live broadcast on CNN Türk. In response to the question, "Will you join the AK Party?" Özarslan said, "There is no such situation at the moment. We will see, it could be AK Party or MHP, I don't know. Maybe we can serve independently, I don't know. This is not our topic. If Özgür Özel is a man, he will respond. If he is a man, he will deny it."
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL'S RESPONSE TO INSULT ALLEGATIONS
While Özarslan's decision to resign from the CHP and his words towards Chairman Özgür Özel created a great debate, the expected statement came in the following minutes. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel spoke to journalist İsmail Saymaz regarding Özarslan's allegations. According to Saymaz, Özel denied the allegations of insults.
Özel stated, "He is lying, he says, 'He insulted my family, my mother, my father,' there is no such thing. The words I said are this; look, the words I said to him are this: 'They called you a thief, I called you and asked. You said, 'There is no such thing, I have no corruption or theft, they are slandering.' I believed you, I trusted you. Now you are going to those who call you a thief, you are leaving those who trusted you."
"THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING RELATED TO FAMILY"
There is absolutely nothing related to family. "I said, 'What you are doing will embarrass the mother who gave birth to you, your children, and your future grandchildren.' Then I said, 'If I ever get something in my hand or if we meet one day, I will never forgive you.'"