24.08.2026 12:00
Independent Member of Parliament Kani Torun reported that Selahattin Demirtaş, whom he visited in Edirne Prison, said, "I want to take a role in Ankara; whatever the highest positions of the state are, that is now my goal." Emphasizing that Kurdish politics should be drawn toward an Ankara-centered line, Torun stated that he is open to contributing to a possible invitation from the DEM Party and a potential integration process.
Cemalettin Kani Torun, who resigned from the Gelecek Party and continues as an independent member of parliament, shared the details of his critical meeting with former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who is detained in Edirne Prison. Torun conveyed that Demirtaş said, "I want to take on a role in Ankara; whatever the highest state positions are, that is now my goal."
Independent MP Kani Torun made statements that will dominate the political agenda in an interview with journalist Cansu Çamlıbel from T24. Stating that he met with Selahattin Demirtaş, who is detained in Edirne Prison, three times in the last two years, Torun gave important messages about the future of Kurdish politics and Demirtaş's goals for the new term.
"KURDS SHOULD FIX THEIR EYES ON ANKARA" Emphasizing that the meetings took place in an extremely positive atmosphere, Kani Torun conveyed Demirtaş's approach that Kurdish politics should become integrated into the center with these words: "I met with Selahattin Demirtaş 3 times in the last 2 years. We talked about the process. Let me convey his words; He said, 'I want to take on a role in Ankara. Whatever the top state positions are in Ankara, that is now my goal.' In our conversation, he said that it is a positive thing for Kurdish politics to fix its eyes on Ankara and that this should be encouraged. He used the expressions, 'Kurdish politics should now become a part of Ankara. If I am to have a say in this, then of course I would support it or be a part of it.'"
Independent MP Kani Torun CANDIDACY DISCUSSIONS Torun, responding to the question about Demirtaş's possible presidential candidacy by stating that they did not directly discuss this issue, drew attention to Demirtaş's social legitimacy. Torun stated that Selahattin Demirtaş is the figure who can best convey the vision described by Abdullah Öcalan as a "Democratic Republic" to Turkish society, and emphasized that he has this representation and legitimacy.
GREEN LIGHT TO DEM PARTY CLAIMS Kani Torun also responded to the speculation and rumors that he received an invitation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), emphasizing the importance of the process and leaving the door open by saying, "If I can contribute to the process of Kurdish integration into the state, I would not say 'no'."