CHP's Bakırlıoğlu: The convention ballot box must be brought out immediately

Republican People's Party (CHP) Manisa Deputy Ahmet Vehbi Bakırlıoğlu, speaking at a party holiday celebration in Akhisar, emphasized democracy within the party and demanded that the leadership convene a convention quickly.

Pointing out that the party is fair and united, Bakırlıoğlu stated, "Do you not believe it? Look here. Our district chairs are here, our former mayors are here, our youth branch chairs are here. The Republican People's Party is already in unity and solidarity."

Underlining that the delegates and members are the true owners of the CHP, Bakırlıoğlu declared, "The owner of this party is neither Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu nor Özgür Özel. We are the true owners of this party; we are the members, we are the delegates. And we want one thing: bring the convention ballot box, bring the convention ballot box as soon as possible."

Directing criticism at Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was recently appointed as the interim CHP Chairman by an appellate court decision, Bakırlıoğlu said, "Those who used to say 'Mr. Kemal' have started saying 'Mr. Kemal' today. We expected Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's first signature to be a call for a convention."

Bringing up the layoffs at the party headquarters just before the upcoming Eid al-Adha, Bakırlıoğlu criticized the decision, saying: "The first decision, the first order was to fire 24 headquarters employees. One day before Eid al-Adha, the Republican People's Party trustee signed off on a disgrace."

Stating that Akhisar Youth Branch Chair Ferhat Köprülü was among the employees laid off, Bakırlıoğlu said, "We fought shoulder to shoulder with this young man. What is this young man's crime? His crime is standing up for his party, standing up for the Republican People's Party."

Emphasizing the concept of labor, which is one of the fundamental values of the CHP, Bakırlıoğlu stated, "Didn't you say labor was the highest value? The first thing they did was fire their own employees."

While some party members present at the meeting expressed their reactions by saying, "One day they will come and be held accountable," Bakırlıoğlu responded by saying, "We will hold them accountable, don't worry. If we don't, we are cowards."