
AI-generated summary
Üsküdar council member Tahsin Usta announced that he resigned from CHP and joined the AK Party and emphasized that this decision was not taken under pressure, threats or bargaining.
WE HAD NO PRESSURE, THREATS OR NEGOTIATIONS
Tahsin Usta, who resigned from CHP and joined the AK Party, made a statement on behalf of four council members and said that their decisions aimed to serve Üsküdar more.
Stating that the decision they made was not easy, Usta said:
"Four of our council member friends have resigned from the Republican People's Party and joined the AK Party in order to provide more service to the people of Üsküdar upon the need we see. Congratulations. We know that we are going through a difficult period. We also know that the decision we have made is a difficult one."
Emphasizing that there was no pressure or bargaining regarding the decision process, Usta said, "While making this decision, I would especially like to say that, together with our fellow council members, we were not under any pressure, we were not under any threat, and we did not engage in any bargaining. Our aim is to serve Üsküdar more, and we think we can achieve this under this roof. Therefore, I thank you for accepting us."
ÖZDEMİR: WE ARE EXCITED AND HAPPY ON BEHALF OF ÜSKÜDAR
AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Abdullah Özdemir also expressed his satisfaction with the participation of the four council members and said, "We are excited and happy on behalf of Üsküdar."
Stating that the newly joined council members have significant experience in different fields, Özdemir said, "We have just met our esteemed council members in the office of our district president. They are people who have successfully spent a long period of their lives in many different fields, have established ties with the society and have a strong past. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to serve our district together after the election in the council."
Pointing out the importance of Üsküdar for Istanbul, Özdemir described the district as "the summary of a small Istanbul".
Özdemir said, "Üsküdar is one of the most ancient and valuable districts of Istanbul. It is our district that brings together all the sociology of Istanbul, embodies all its values and is actually the summary of a small Istanbul. Hopefully, with these participations in the new period, we will strive and work with our municipal council and municipal administration even more strongly and respond to the expectations of Üsküdar and the people of Üsküdar."
"WE WILL WORK WITH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT DREAMS THE FUTURE OF ÜSKÜDAR"
Touching on his experience as a local administrator, Özdemir said that municipalism requires presenting a vision for the future of the city.
Özdemir said:
"As a person who has been a mayor and has experience in local administration, I would like to express that if you do not think about how we can contribute to the future of children, young people and ladies in Üsküdar, you cannot be a good administrator there. If you cannot be a partner in the struggle for the children of Üsküdar to reach a very good point for the future of the country, you cannot actually govern that city."
Stating that they will act with common sense and consultation in Üsküdar, Özdemir stated that they aim to provide service to all streets and households by working together with headmen, non-governmental organizations, opinion leaders and local dynamics of the district.
"I THANK THEM FOR SHOWING THIS COURAGE"
Thanking the four council members for their decisions, Özdemir said, "I would like to thank our esteemed council members wholeheartedly, in your presence, for showing this courage, for taking this decision for Üsküdar, for making this decision to touch the future of Üsküdar and the people of Üsküdar and to leave a mark."
Reminding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's words in the AK Party camp, Özdemir said, "Our President, at our party's camp held in Sapanca last time, said, 'We are each different pages of this book. We are the book of Turkey in a single volume, the book of the AK Party.' He said, "With the joint effort of all our friends who form the unity of our AK Party and reveal this richness with their differences, our AK Party will hopefully be prepared for an even stronger future together."
Özdemir stated that Türkiye is located in a difficult geography and said that under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Türkiye has reached a position that contributes to the peace within its borders as well as the unity and solidarity in its region.
"A NEW START FOR ÜSKÜDAR"
Announcing the great participation on his social media account after the participation ceremony, AK Party Üsküdar District Chairman Taha Sarıcaoğlu gave a great message of unity for Üsküdar. Sarıcaoğlu used the following statements in his statement: "Tonight, we are witnessing a new beginning for Üsküdar, a growing unity. Our esteemed council members who resigned from the Republican People's Party; Ahmet Başbaydar, Ayhan Aydın, Hüseyin Kazan and Tahsin Usta joined our AK Party family. We are now more crowded, stronger and more determined on this path we set out with our love for Üsküdar and our desire to serve this beautiful city. Üsküdar. Our love is common, our desire to serve is common, our direction is common for Üsküdar, all together, to a stronger future..."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
AK Party will gain more support in the municipal council in Üsküdar and will focus on providing services by developing new strategies.
Likely · Within months

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AK Party Istanbul Provincial Presidency organized a program at Üsküdar District Presidency with the participation of 4 council members who resigned from CHP and joined the party. Tahsin Usta, who resigned from CHP, stated that his decision was difficult and emphasized that there was no pressure or bargaining. AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Abdullah Özdemir praised the experience of the new members and described Üsküdar as a small summary of Istanbul. Üsküdar Municipal Council will elect a new deputy mayor on September 5, 2026.
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AK Party Istanbul Provincial Directorate announced that 4 council members resigned from CHP and joined the AK Party. Party leaders and local government officials attended the program held at Üsküdar District Headquarters. New member Tahsin Usta stated that the decision was a difficult process and that he aimed to serve Üsküdar more. AK Party Istanbul Chairman Abdullah Özdemir emphasized that participation will contribute to the future of Üsküdar. Üsküdar Deputy Mayor election will be held on September 5, 2026.