YSK had rejected the court's request: CHP Istanbul Ordinary Provincial Congress has begun

The Republican People's Party (CHP) is preparing to hold its provincial congress in Istanbul, as it is doing across Turkey. However, the Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance, in a decision that sparked controversy, had appointed a trustee to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Administration and requested that the Supreme Election Council (YSK) halt the Istanbul 39th Ordinary Provincial Congress. This request was also forwarded to the Istanbul Governorship and the Sarıyer 1st District Election Board Presidency.

The YSK, however, rejected the court's request, ruling that "congress processes that have begun in accordance with procedure cannot be halted by district election boards."

The CHP Istanbul 39th Ordinary Provincial Congress began today at 10:00 AM.

ÖZGÜR ÇELİK: THIS IS THE ARENA!

Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, who took the stage as the sole candidate at the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress, received great applause from the hall for his speech. Referring to internal party disputes, Çelik made a striking statement: "I haven't said anything until today. But today I am saying one thing. You cannot just say, 'I have been a CHP member for so many years.' This is the arena! Here is the mat! If you have self-confidence, if you have courage, come on, become a candidate, let's compete!"

Touching upon politicized judicial decisions in his speech, Çelik said, "Leave aside the decisions of the politicized judiciary. Come and become a candidate, let's see together who is stronger. You cannot be a Republican People's Party member by hiding behind the decisions of a politicized judiciary, coming to the party's home, and spraying gas in the faces of women and youth, injuring people."

Emphasizing solidarity within the party, Çelik concluded his speech by saying, "Let everyone know this: My esteemed elders, my dear friends... There is no infighting in the Republican People's Party. In the Republican People's Party, on one side, there are a few people who have surrendered to the tyrannical government. On the other side, there are CHP soldiers who have united to defend their party, as in this hall. On one side, there is a handful of oligarchs; on the other, there is the people. On one side, there are rent-seekers; on the other, there are populists. On one side, there are trustees; on the other, there are the elected. On one side, there are those obsessed with positions and titles; on the other, there are those resisting them. On one side, there is Turkey's minority government; on the other, there is our nation. Our nation is with us, and we are marching to power together with our nation!"

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel is also expected to attend the congress around 4:00 PM.