Striking comments from Özgür Çelik on the party congress result and the term 'purification': 'Written with the pen of politics'

Özgür Çelik began his assessment by referencing the words, "If the CHP changes, Turkey changes." Stating that the author of this phrase was presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, Çelik said, "After those words, we have been through everything, and our Chairman will receive his 4th mandate. I have also received my mandate 3 times."

Evaluating the congress on Halk TV, Çelik said, "When the ballot box is placed before the public, this pain will end. The CHP is under a very heavy judicial squeeze. They saw that they could not sever the CHP's connections with society, as it is rising above 40 percent in all polls, so they are attacking the CHP's corporate identity.

Investigations into the Istanbul congress, the entry of 5 thousand people into the provincial building, pepper spray attacks on women... The CHP is under judicial harassment. When our Chairman says, 'I promise you a struggle,' he is reminding us that our first congress was the Sivas Congress with 41 delegates. Today, these lands are under occupation, even if not physically. Today, there is a government that has politicized the judiciary and its collaborators. He says, 'We will never give up the struggle,'" he stated.

"TO WHOM IS THE TERM 'PURIFICATION' DIRECTED?"

Özgür Çelik was also asked about the interview former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu gave to the Sabah newspaper on the same day as the congress. Özgür Çelik emphasized that Özgür Özel, who has been elected 4 times in two years, has broken a record. Çelik said, "Citizens from the AKP and MHP on the street say, 'You are right, we are behind you.' Yes, the CHP's base is locked in, but society is also locked in around the CHP. (Former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu) gave a statement to the Sabah newspaper regarding purification. In other words, we see the statements of some administrators in the party as well.

First of all, the indictment says this; it ignores intra-party democracy. We came with the will of the delegates. It considers winning the Beylikdüzü Municipality a crime. It considers winning Istanbul a crime. It considers creating the groundwork to win the presidential election a crime. It is an indictment written with the pen of politics. The President's phrase 'tentacles of an octopus' at the group meeting is included in the indictment.

To whom is the term 'purification' directed? Is it directed at Ekrem İmamoğlu, who defeated the AKP 4 times? Is it directed at Ekrem İmamoğlu, who held a rally in Erzurum in 2023 while being pelted with stones? Is it directed at Hakan Bahçetepe, who worked heart and soul for the presidential elections while he was the Gaziosmanpaşa District Chair? Is it directed at Rıza Akpolat, who operates field solution centers in 40 provinces in Turkey? I say it clearly and plainly. The CHP has realized change, the CHP has become the leading party, and it has freed itself from its shackles," he said, expressing his reaction.

Çelik said, "I do not find it right to bring up the issue of purification and accountability through this indictment, as if Turkey's democracy were very healthy. Our friends have only one crime; that is to serve this people effectively. They are in prison because they fill children's lunchboxes and stand side-by-side with retirees. I am one of those who has witnessed most closely how honest and honorable our friends are."

Istanbul Provincial Chair Çelik stated that his party is united around Özgür Özel and around Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is the presidential candidate with 15.5 million votes from the public. Çelik said, "We are now moving into another phase. The CHP now has two duties. To explain the party program correctly, and to explain the lies and truths in the indictment. The fact that the AK Party Provincial Chair says 'We will explain' regarding the indictment means 'We had it written.' It is a confession," he said.