'Kılıçdaroğlu' crisis in CHP group chairmanship election: That name will be a candidate at the party congress!

The absolute nullity crisis in the CHP has led to a split. Elected Chairman Özgür Özel has bid farewell to his party of 34 years and founded the NEW Party.

With 90 deputies joining the NEW Party along with Özel, the number of seats held by the CHP in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) has fallen to 44.

Following the official departure of Özel and his team, the CHP's new parliamentary group management has been determined.

Erdoğan Toprak, Barış Bektaş, Müzeyyen Şevkin, Selma Aliye Kavaf, and Mehmet Güzelmansur did not attend the meeting, citing excuses. 39 deputies elected the CHP's new group chairman and deputy chairmen.

According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, a new controversy arose within the party following the elections held at the CHP Headquarters.

ALLEGATIONS OF KILIÇDAROĞLU'S INTERFERENCE

While Gürsel Erol received the most votes in the first round of the group chairmanship elections, Faik Öztrak also advanced to the second round. According to the allegations, Faik Öztrak, who spoke with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu before the second round, told the deputies upon returning to the meeting, "I spoke with our chairman, and he said, 'You are my candidate'."

Upon this, Gürsel Erol took the floor and proposed that both candidates withdraw and that Engin Altay, whom he described as an "elder brother," be nominated as a consensus candidate. Altay, however, rejected this proposal and suggested, "Both of you withdraw, let there be a female group chair." As Öztrak did not withdraw his candidacy, the election moved to a second round.

ÖZTRAK BECAME THE SOLE CANDIDATE

It is claimed that in the second round, three deputies who had supported Gürsel Erol in the first round changed their votes in favor of Faik Öztrak. Following this, Gürsel Erol withdrew his candidacy before the third round, and Faik Öztrak was elected as the CHP Group Chairman as the sole candidate.

Following the election process, some figures reacted, alleging that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had interfered in the process. While it was claimed that Gürsel Erol and some deputies left the meeting, Headquarters sources did not confirm this allegation.

CLAIM THAT EROL WILL BE A CANDIDATE AT THE CONGRESS

It is stated that Gürsel Erol and the figures accompanying him, who had previously opposed the absolute nullity decision and called for an extraordinary congress, have decided to lead an internal opposition within the party following the recent developments.

Making a statement on his social media account, Erol said, "I believe that the will of no Chairman or any political focus should override the preference of the deputies."

On the other hand, it was stated that Gürsel Erol plans to run for the CHP Chairmanship at the ordinary congress expected to be held in March.

News Source: 12punto