Debate over 'dubious congress' in CHP: Central Executive Board sets strategy, joint statement to be issued

At the Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting held under the chairmanship of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, the "dubious" allegations raised regarding the party's 38th Ordinary Congress and the ongoing investigation were evaluated.

While the party leadership assessed the allegations as baseless, the view was adopted that these claims are intended to create division and strife within the party. It was decided at the MYK meeting not to make a direct statement, and it was stated that the 81 provincial chairs would issue a joint declaration to address the public.

HOW DID THE INVESTIGATION START?

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that an investigation had been launched into allegations that "votes were cast in exchange for money" at the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, held on November 4-5, 2023.

It was learned that the investigation began following allegations made by Erkan Çakır, a former member of the CHP Muş Youth Branch, against CHP Bursa Provincial Chair Nihat Yeşiltaş. Following Çakır's allegations, a defamation investigation was opened by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office after Yeşiltaş filed a complaint. However, it was stated that the file was sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office with a decision of "lack of jurisdiction" because it also included allegations regarding the congress process.

It was stated that the investigation is being conducted within the framework of the "tampering with voting" charge regulated in Article 112 of the Law on Political Parties, and information was shared that some party delegates and members have provided testimony as "witnesses" during this process. Additionally, it was reported that a lawsuit was filed by former Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş for the cancellation of the congress.

WHAT IS THE CHP LEADERSHIP'S STANCE?

At the MYK meeting, it was evaluated that the investigation is a "political operation" conducted by the ruling power, and the view was expressed that it is an attempt to create internal strife within the party. Party officials alleged that attempts were being made to create tension between Özgür Özel and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, or between Ekrem İmamoğlu and Kılıçdaroğlu, within the CHP.

It was stated that Özel did not allow any comments to be made on the subject during the meeting, and it was emphasized that "the CHP will not fall for this game." The party leadership stated that no special statement would be made regarding the investigation, but that the 81 provincial chairs would respond to the allegations with a joint declaration.

CHP strategists stated that the allegations are not provable, and the view was defended that the party would emerge from the process cleared of any wrongdoing.

HOW DID THE DISCUSSIONS BEGIN?

In a speech delivered by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Manisa Provincial Congress on February 1, he used the expressions, "They pinned the bill for the elections on Mr. Kemal and ousted him with a dubious congress."

Following this statement, former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said in a program he attended on KRT television on February 7 that the party leadership "should make a clear and explicit statement" regarding the allegations. Although Kılıçdaroğlu stated that he did not have direct information regarding the allegations, he expressed that the leadership's silence could create question marks.

Former CHP Istanbul Deputy Akif Hamzaçebi also criticized the party leadership, calling on them by saying, "Either reject this allegation by challenging it, or do not sit in that seat."

ÖZEL'S REACTION TO THE INVESTIGATION

In a statement made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in Manisa on Sunday, he stated that his party is under an "ugly attack" and used the expressions, "They had a petition filed by a lunatic, and the file has been sitting open for a year. There is no evidence, no document, no witness. Now they are trying to invent secret witnesses."

Özel defended that the congress was held in a transparent manner and assessed that the process is political, not legal. Furthermore, it was claimed that if a situation such as the cancellation of the congress were to occur, the CHP would not hesitate to hold another congress, but in such a case, no one would be able to run against Özel, and he would be re-elected unanimously.