Faik Öztrak's response to Özgür Özel was swift: 'I never said such a thing'

CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Faik Öztrak answered questions from journalist Murat Yetkin.

Responding to the claims made by the elected CHP Chairman Özgür Özel—who stated that he was belittled by Öztrak as a "gardener's grandson" and "the child of a retired teacher," and that Öztrak acted arrogantly by saying, "We were here, the Parliament was built on us"—Öztrak said the following:

"I never said such a thing. I do not belittle anyone, especially because of their family. I do not know Özgür Özel's family background or their profession, and I never asked. I do not ask about anyone's religion, sect, or origin. It is not asked in the CHP anyway. One day there was a Balkan Desk meeting in İzmir, Özgür Özel came there, and of course, we gave him a seat in the front row. That was when I learned he was a Balkan Turk. Look, the Republic is the name of the regime that paved the way for 'Shepherd Sülü' (Süleyman Demirel) to become President.

The dream of every CHP member who has internalized the founding values of the Republic is to ensure equal opportunity for every child born in these lands. I cannot know why Mr. Özgür felt the need to emphasize being a gardener's grandson. But I do know this: when our party made him a mayoral candidate, a five-term deputy, a Group Deputy Chairman, and a Group Chairman, it never asked, 'What is your father's profession, what is your grandfather's profession?' Let me repeat: I have not said the words Mr. Özgür claims anywhere. I attribute these statements to the stress Mr. Özgür is under. I think he will correct this."

“I NEVER LOOKED DOWN ON ANYONE”

Öztrak also made evaluations regarding the "The Parliament was built on us" statement brought up by Özel.

Sharing an anecdote on the subject, Öztrak used the following expressions:

“It is like this: One day we were chatting with the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder. In the meantime, Mr. Veli Ağababa explained that a plot of land where the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey) is located once belonged to my grandfather, that it was expropriated, and that we did not object. When I took the floor while the late (Önder) was presiding over the Parliament one day, he jokingly said in a friendly manner, 'You hold the title deed, speak as much as you want.'

It seems Mr. Özgür has not forgotten this. I think that is what he is referring to. Those who know, know that I have taken care not to adopt a belittling attitude toward anyone, both during my time in the bureaucracy and while on party duty. I have not been arrogant; I never used the party's official vehicle except for protocol requirements, I always used my own car. Because of the position I held, I never looked down on anyone in either bureaucracy or politics. I have always acted with the understanding that 'the court is not the property of the judge.'"

“IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO BE PLEASED WITH THE ABSOLUTE NULLITY DECISION”

Responding to the question regarding the absolute nullity decision, Öztrak said that the decision did not please him.

Öztrak made the following assessment:

“Like all CHP members, it is impossible for me to be pleased with the absolute nullity decision. But I also ask those who say, 'The court is like this, the previous management was like that': Are we going to ignore the confessions of those who came to power after the congress, which was deemed void, that their closest associates operated to buy the will of the delegates, and the allegations that public power was used to provide material benefits and job promises were made in municipalities to corrupt the will of the delegates?

Are we not going to question the situation of those who made the party vulnerable to judicial intervention by getting involved in these affairs, which led to this nullity? I said these things in the press statement I made at the TBMM. Our priority should have been the struggle against autocracy, not establishing dominance by polarizing and alienating each other within the party.”

“IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR MR. ÖZGÜR”

Upon being asked whether the CHP could fight more effectively against the government in its current state, Öztrak stated that dialogue must be established within the party.

“No, it is not too late for Mr. Özgür. I believe it is still possible for him to talk to the Chairman of his party instead of constantly clenching his fists, and to contribute to a way out that will ensure unity and solidarity. But whenever Mr. Özgür opens his hand, it seems like something or someone intervenes and stops him.”

“SOME DO NOT WANT RECONCILIATION WITHIN THE CHP”

When asked who the people he mentioned were, Öztrak gave the following response:

“I cannot know that, but as far as I can see, some want there to be no reconciliation within the CHP; they want the party to be divided. They believe that the strategy of forming a new party that carried the AK (Party) to power will succeed again. Not allowing this is the duty and debt of every CHP member. Not so long ago, the nation made us the first party in the elections. But the management preferred 'normalization' instead of fighting against the palace that tore up the nation's robe of legitimacy. Erdoğan's seal was hung at our Headquarters, and we were asked to stand up before Erdoğan, who is the chairman of another party, at the opening of the TBMM. I criticized these at the time as well.

Deputies were not properly informed about what normalization was. That was not enough; the party was pushed into early competition regarding the presidency. Two and a half years have passed since the management change, and our municipalities, which our nation sees as our showcase for general elections, have been under heavy attack. Despite all that has happened, the number of closed group meetings where deputies expressed their views did not exceed the fingers of one hand; they were held three times. In those, decisions were more communicated than discussed.”

“I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE HEADQUARTERS BEING HANDED OVER TO THE POLICE”

Evaluating the issue of the police entering the CHP Headquarters, Öztrak said he found what happened sad.

Öztrak used the following expressions:

“Our Chairman also expressed his sadness. That morning, our deputy friends went to the door, and they did not let them in. To block them, the bus of Adnan Beker, who said he voted for neither our party nor the Nation Alliance's joint candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, was pulled to the door. I really have difficulty understanding this: Özgür Özel admitted he was not the chairman by having himself elected as group chairman.

After admitting this, what was the justification for occupying the chairmanship office? Why did they prefer to hand over the party building to the police instead of the previous elected chairman? And why did they leave the Headquarters, which they said, 'We will chain ourselves, we will never leave,' in three minutes after taking the photos and videos they wanted?”

“I ALWAYS WALK THE STREETS OF TEKİRDAĞ”

When asked about his opinion on Özgür Özel's suggestion to walk together in Tekirdağ, Öztrak responded to the suggestion with these words:

"I can understand what he hopes for while saying this. But Tekirdağ is not the place Mr. Özgür thinks it is. It embraces both its own children and its guests. The people of Tekirdağ have enough wisdom to see those who try to gain political rent by pitting the children of their hometown against each other. I always walk the streets of Tekirdağ. Because I did not make my fellow citizens hang their heads in shame. I do not approach anyone with arrogance. I did not have enough arrogance to enter a walking race with anyone in their own hometown. I would be proud to walk with a deputy of my party when they visit my province. Provided, of course, that they let me know they are coming in advance."

News Source: 12punto