Debates on 'nullity' and operations in CHP: Will a nullity decision be issued?

CHP continues to hold meetings with the public and listen to the voice of its base on one hand. In district advisory board meetings, party members are evaluating current developments and the policies of the party leadership. The prominent topics recently are the "nullity" scenarios put forward ahead of the upcoming elections and the operations targeting mayors.

PARTY MEMBERS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE OPERATIONS

Within the party, it is expressed that the videos leaked regarding figures such as Özkan Yalım have caused discomfort. Some CHP members believe that such incidents harm the party. Although the party leadership emphasizes that the disciplinary process regarding Yalım was initiated quickly, there is criticism from the base that the process should be concluded faster. In this process, while party members argue that those found guilty should be held accountable before the law, they agree that unverified allegations spread through the media harm the party.

In party corridors, there is a prevailing belief that circles close to the government are making political moves aimed at discrediting the CHP. Comments such as, "There is an electorate breaking away from the AKP. The government wants these people to become disillusioned with politics. They want the number of undecided voters to increase. They want the CHP to be discredited. The goal is that even if the voters breaking away from the AKP are going to vote, they should not go to the CHP or not go to the ballot box at all," show that a conviction has formed among the base that the government is trying to influence voters with such operations.

CONCERN OVER 'NULLITY'

According to the report by Cumhuriyet, the other issue most discussed in the corridors is the possibility of "nullity" regarding the CHP's latest grand assembly. Especially among the party base, there is concern that a possible nullity decision could come into effect shortly before the elections and that this situation could put the CHP in a difficult position during the process leading up to the elections. However, the CHP leadership, as Chairman Özgür Özel has also stated, underscores that they are prepared for such attempts and challenges the government by saying, "It's free to try."

Party members state on this matter, "No one is discussing this legally. If a decision is to be issued, it will be political. Against this, we have held both our ordinary grand assembly and extraordinary grand assemblies. We even held a grand assembly where the delegates in question did not vote. Everything being discussed is done only with the calculation that 'This government will do every evil,' but it has no official basis. Still, no matter what they do, there is a base that stands by the leadership. In fact, people are saying, 'Hold more rallies, work harder, make them bring the ballot box.' The CHP is not like other parties. Its base is very different. A process like the one where the IYI Party was carved out of the MHP in the past cannot be imposed on the CHP. The CHP base protects both its party and its leadership."

CALLS TARGETING KILIÇDAROĞLU

The statements made by former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu regarding the party are not finding the expected response. Party members point out that the current leadership has confirmed its support through consecutive grand assemblies, saying, "It has no response at the base." The party leadership also adopts an attitude of "Our chairman does not want us to comment specifically on Mr. Kemal," and remains distant regarding the sharing of personal opinions.

Party officials state that democratic channels for debate and criticism are always open in the CHP, and that criticisms can be easily expressed regarding both candidacy and the functionality of the grand assembly structure. In the corridors, assessments such as, "He has no expectations from the base, but he has them from the judiciary," are heard regarding Kılıçdaroğlu.