CHP leader Özgür Özel responds to the question, 'What will you do if Mr. Kemal wants to return?'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made significant statements regarding what they would do if former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu were to return via a court order. Emphasizing that they would absolutely not recognize Kılıçdaroğlu should he return, Özel stated, "Our 81 provincial chairs will not recognize him either. We will continue on our path while protecting our backbone."

Özel also shared his assessments regarding the appointment of a trustee to the CHP İstanbul Provincial Presidency and the 38th Ordinary Congress lawsuit with journalist Fatih Altaylı, who is currently detained at Silivri Prison.

IS THEREPREPARATION FOR KILIÇDAROĞLU'S RETURN?

To Fatih Altaylı's question,"What will you do if Kemal Beywants to return?" Özgür Özel'sanswer was clear: "We will not recognize it; we will protect our backbone and continue." Özel explained that the current CHP leadershipwould continue firmly and that they would not allow the party to be divided by Kılıçdaroğlu's return.He declared.

Özel also responded to rumors circulating in the lobbies about Kılıçdaroğlu rejoining the party: "The information we have is that Kemal Bey will not accept the duty, but ultimately someone will come there. We know what we will do."

TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT AND INTRA-PARTY TENSION

Tension within the party increased further following the appointment of Gürsel Tekin as a trustee. Özgür Özel stated that Tekin is not acting within the CHP and is pursuing a purpose other than "holding an election": "Gürsel Bey has no such intention. He talks about visiting markets and bazaars and getting the party back on its feet, but not about holding an election."

Özel stated that the trustee decision is unlawful and that they will apply to the judiciary. Expressing his confidence that the unlawful decision will be overturned by the Court of Appeal, he said, "This decision is a blow not only to us but also to the Supreme Election Council."

Özgür Özel gave a firm response to Fatih Altaylı's question, "Is there a possibility of you being arrested?": "I know they can do all kinds of evil to me, but I will not take a step back. I cannot disappoint these people. We held 50 rallies, 50 actions, and gave our citizens confidence. The youth believed in us. I would pay any price rather than disappoint them."

Özel underscored that he would not take a step back regardless of what happens during this process: "We would pay any price rather than destroy their dreams. I still believe there are jurists in this country," he said, noting that he would continue the legal struggle.

NO ROOM FOR THE DIVISION OF CHP

Opposing Altaylı's question, "If the CHP is divided, is it considered to establish a new party?" with firm language, Özgür Özel said: "It is out of the question. The CHP is not just any party. We cannot divide it. The division of the CHP is the division of Turkey. You cannot cut down the ancient plane tree. We will not be divided; we will fight to the end."

Özel stated that the current structureof the CHP is critical for the futureof the countryand that they would not allow the party to bedivided.He stated.

While expressing that the struggle to overturn unlawful decisions will continue, Özgür Özel said, "The Supreme Election Council will not accept this lawlessness. The lawlessness will be overturned by the Court of Appeal within a month." Özel reiterated their confidence that the judiciary would make the right decisions without being influenced by the government's pressures.