Crisis in CHP spreads to the provinces: Request for name change for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Cultural Center

The impact of the "absolute nullity" (invalidity) ruling issued by the Ankara Regional Court of Justice regarding the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP and the events unfolding at the party headquarters have also reflected on the provincial organizations. A request has been made to change the name of the historic “Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Cultural Center” located in the Hacıbektaş district of Nevşehir, citing the crisis at the party's headquarters.

In these days when tensions remain high within the Republican People's Party (CHP), a striking development has occurred in Hacıbektaş, one of the party's most important symbolic strongholds. CHP municipal council members of the Hacıbektaş Municipality have submitted an official petition to remove the name of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu from the structure, which is one of the district's most important culture and arts centers.

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CALLED TO EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

In the petition submitted to the Hacıbektaş Mayor's Office on May 26, 2026, it was argued that the recent congress debates and legal processes occurring at the headquarters have created serious sensitivity among the public.

The petition, which bears the signatures of CHP Municipal Council members Cafer Mutlu, Naciye Şenlik, and Abidin Tunçbilek, included the following statements:

"We request that the Municipal Council be called to an extraordinary meeting in order to make a decision without delay in line with social expectations."

The request is expected to be added to the agenda and voted on by the Hacıbektaş Municipal Council, which will convene in the coming days.

Erdal İnönü laid the foundation, it was named after Kılıçdaroğlu in 2014

THE CENTER, WHICH HAS COME TO THE AGENDA WITH A NAME CHANGE REQUEST, HAS A DEEP-ROOTED HISTORY:

Founding Period: The foundation of the cultural center was laid during the term of former Hacıbektaş Mayor Ali Eğer by the late SHP Chairman Erdal İnönü and the then-Minister of Culture Fikri Sağlar. The structure was known as the Hacıbektaş Amphitheater at that time.

Renovation Process: The building, which remained idle for many years, was restored through a comprehensive renovation in 2014 under the leadership of the then-Bakırköy Mayor Bülent Kerimoğlu. With a decision by the then-Hacıbektaş Mayor Ali Rıza Selmanpakoğlu and the council, the building was given the name "Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Cultural Center" as a surprise.

KILIÇDAROĞLU HAD NOT WANTED HIS OWN NAME AT THE TIME

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who personally performed the opening, opposed this surprise by the municipal administration at the time, requested that his name not be used, and made the following statement:

"Giving my name to the Cultural Center could be used against me; they might misinterpret this and think it was given at my request. However, I did not ask for such a thing. Thank you, you deemed it appropriate, but I would appreciate it if you could change the name if possible."

Kılıçdaroğlu's request from 12 years ago was not accepted by the municipal council members of that period, and the name was preserved as is. Today, however, the power struggle ongoing at the headquarters and the "absolute nullity" debates seem to have reversed the will that rejected Kılıçdaroğlu's request at that time.

News Source: 12punto