Akşehir Mayor Köksal to Kılıçdaroğlu: 'You Are No Longer Our Townsman'

Akşehir Mayor Köksal sharply criticised Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu — who returned to the CHP's top leadership following the 'absolute nullity' ruling — and symbolically renounced their bond as fellow townspeople. Speaking to Cumhuriyet newspaper, Köksal said: 'As Akşehir's mayor, let me be clear: you are no longer our townsman. You may still claim that you are one of us, but we are not of you.'

Kılıçdaroğlu is widely regarded as a deeply rooted figure closely associated with Akşehir in Turkish political history. Köksal's statement is seen as concrete evidence that the deep internal tension generated by the 'absolute nullity' ruling has now spread to the level of local administrations.

As the extraordinary congress process and debates over leadership legitimacy continue within the CHP, Köksal's sharp remarks have put the party's provincial divisions back in the spotlight. The disputes over the congress and the leadership crisis are expected to persist in the days ahead.