Striking behind-the-scenes news in CHP: 3 figures met with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: 'Should I leave the party to a trustee?' outburst!

The ongoing judicial process regarding the 38th Ordinary Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP), held on November 4-5, 2023, has opened the door to a new crisis within the party.

It has been stated that former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who handed over the chairmanship to Özgür Özel at the congress, is insistent on not leaving the party to a trustee if an "absolute nullity" ruling is issued in the case being heard at the Ankara 22nd Civil Court of First Instance.

3 FIGURES IN ACTION

According to the report by Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz, three prominent CHP figures—Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer, and CHP Party Assembly Member Engin Özkoç—visited Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at his office in Ankara yesterday. The trio met with Kılıçdaroğlu to evaluate both the future of the party and the crisis that the congress lawsuit could create.

The primary purpose of the visit was to create a ground for consensus between Kılıçdaroğlu and Özgür Özel at the call of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The trio told Kılıçdaroğlu:

“The government's goal is to divide the CHP. An absolute nullity ruling will crack the party from within. We will fight among ourselves and lose prestige in the eyes of the public. Please make a statement and say, ‘I will not make the party's elected management controversial in this way.’ Özel is also ready to meet.”

KILIÇDAROĞLU: “SHOULD I LEAVE IT TO A TRUSTEE?”

According to the allegations, the former leader of the CHP responded to the delegation with these words:

“I cannot make such a statement. I hope an absolute nullity ruling does not come out, but if it does, I cannot abandon my party to a trustee. Even if I don't accept such a decision, a trustee will be appointed. Should I leave the party to a trustee? If the decision comes out, I will sit down and talk with Özgür Özel.”

Upon these words, Yavaş, Seçer, and Özkoç clearly expressed that they opposed Kılıçdaroğlu: “We do not find this attitude of yours appropriate. Obtaining an absolute nullity ruling and supporting it damages the unity of the party.”

After the meeting, which lasted about an hour, the delegation went to the CHP Headquarters and held a meeting with Chairman Özgür Özel. It was learned that Özel was expecting the negative response from Kılıçdaroğlu and said, “I guessed we would get such an answer.”

İMAMOĞLU IS NEXT

The three-person delegation will go to Silivri F-Type Prison today to meet with Ekrem İmamoğlu. Detailed information will be given to İmamoğlu about the contacts made with Kılıçdaroğlu and the results obtained.

WHAT DOES THE CONGRESS LAWSUIT COVER?

As is known, Özgür Özel won the chairmanship race against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the CHP Congress held on November 4-5, 2023. However, after the congress, some individuals applied to the judiciary on the grounds that the delegate elections were held irregularly and that there were violations of the party bylaws.

If an "absolute nullity" ruling is issued in the case being heard at the Ankara 22nd Civil Court of First Instance, it could result in all outcomes of the congress being declared invalid and the CHP management being handed over to a trustee.