Authority conflict in CHP Ankara: Two separate administrations, two separate party buildings

Following the recent judicial process within the CHP, the new administration brought into office has made significant changes to the Ankara Provincial Presidency. After the court's "absolute nullity" ruling, the elected provincial administration of Ankara, which took office at the 39th Ordinary Congress, was removed from duty. Following this development, former Çankaya district head Fahri Yıldırım was appointed to replace Yüksel Işık, the acting head for the imprisoned Provincial President Ümit Erkol. Additionally, the entire existing provincial administration was removed from office.

According to the report by Cumhuriyet, the removed elected provincial administration continues to maintain its presence in the classic CHP building in Kızılay, effectively keeping a "watch," while the new appointed team has begun operating from the Bülent Ecevit Campus on Çevre Street, which was converted into a Presidential Candidate Office with the Özgür Özel era. While the elected team's access to bank accounts has been cut off, the vehicle belonging to the provincial administration has also been handed over to the new management. Thus, the two administrations continue to represent the party in two different buildings in Ankara.

THE RESISTANCE OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS CONTINUES

Yüksel Işık, as the representative of the removed elected provincial administration, described the current situation with these words: “We are not in favor of conflict. Especially the youth and women are keeping watch here. I said that I would put myself on the line to ensure that none of them are harmed. We came to office by being elected during the 39th Ordinary Congress process. I have a certificate of election. Even if we were removed from office unfairly, we are party members. Does one expel their own member from the party?”

Yüksel Işık stated that they were expecting the nullity ruling following the arrest of Ankara Provincial President Ümit Erkol. He also claimed that the holiday greeting rally held by Özgür Özel in Güvenpark laid the groundwork for the removal of the elected administration. Işık said that a member of parliament called him one day before the holiday greeting and requested that the rally be canceled; however, he stated that he would not fulfill this request without a written document. “They gathered a crowd from all over Turkey at the headquarters for the holiday greeting. We also gathered in Güvenpark. It was a magnificent crowd, and people showed their determination and support,” he said.

Emphasizing that they have the support of 25 district organizations, Işık said, “We are sitting in our provincial building. We are CHP members; trying to remove us from here is contrary to reason and logic.”

NEW ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS CALMLY

Fahri Yıldırım, the head of the new administration on Çevre Street, stated that despite the difficulties of the process, they do not want any tension in Ankara. Yıldırım said, “We are currently using this place as the provincial presidency again. We expect our friends to leave the building. Events like those in other provinces will not happen in Ankara. Many of the friends currently in Güvenpark are friends who have worked with me. I will not allow a single hair on their heads to be harmed. With common sense, they will leave that place as soon as possible.”

It is noteworthy that the photograph of President Ekrem İmamoğlu and the phrase "candidate office" still remain at the entrance of the building on Çevre Street.

While this dual administration process in the CHP has turned into a symbol of the crisis in the party's Ankara organization, the parties are currently continuing their activities in their own buildings. Whether the tension within the party will subside will become clear in the coming days.