CHP's 81 provincial chairs issue convention call to Kılıçdaroğlu: 'We will not recognize the decision'

The 81 provincial chairs of the CHP issued a statement regarding the investigation into the convention that brought about change in the party, declaring: “Whatever decision the politicized judiciary under the influence of the ruling power makes about our party; whether they call it a trustee or nullity, our 81 provincial chairs will not recognize this decision.”

Expressing their support for CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, the chairs addressed former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: “This is our call against the discussions of nullity and trustees.

In these days when we are fighting our country's second war of independence, our duty is to unite to break the siege on our party and lead our party to power,” they said.

The chairs held a joint press conference at the CHP headquarters. The statement was read on behalf of the chairs by CHP Ankara Provincial Chair Ümit Erkol. 

The declaration, which stated that the CHP is a party of conventions, said: “The CHP is not a party to be designed by the ruling power. The CHP is not a party whose course will be determined by politicized judicial games and political engineering, or brought to its knees through blackmail and threats. As CHP organizations, we have never stood, and will never stand, in a place that contradicts the conscience of our people.”

The declaration, which expressed support for CHP leader Özgür Özel, included the following: “Whatever decision the politicized judiciary under the influence of the ruling power makes about our party; whether they call it a trustee or nullity, our 81 provincial chairs will not recognize this decision. All our provincial chairs will stand by the will of the 38th Ordinary Convention and the 21st Extraordinary Convention. They will base their support on the true administration elected by the will of the members and delegates.”

CALL TO KILIÇDAROĞLU

In the statement, which also included a call to former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, it was said: “Against the discussions of nullity and trustees, this is our call to our former Chairman Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, our former Chairmen, our deputies, all our administrators who have served and are serving in our party, and our great organization.

In these days when we are fighting our country's second war of independence, our duty is to unite to break the siege on our party and lead our party to power. We are here, we are shoulder to shoulder.

We are protecting the fortress of democracy, our ancestral home. The CHP is the people's party; it draws its strength from the people. As we know from our glorious history; the power of the people is great enough to tear up and discard the decrees of the palace.”