Bahçeli's assessment of Özel and Kılıçdaroğlu: Resorting to legal avenues is his most natural right

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made assessments regarding New Party Chairman Özgür Özel and CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who took the presidential seat following a decision of 'absolute nullity'.

Bahçeli stated that it is the "most natural right" for Kılıçdaroğlu to voice the injustices he believes he has suffered, to resort to legal avenues, and to express his views on the future of the party he led as chairman for years.

Speaking about Özgür Özel, Bahçeli said, "We would not want Özel to be upset, for his political personality to be worn down amidst daily debates, or for him to be made a target of the settling of scores continuing in the CHP–New Party wing."

The full text of Devlet Bahçeli's statements:

"MAKING POLITICAL DIFFERENCES A PRETEXT FOR CONFLICT DOES NOT SERVE TURKEY"

"Turkish politics is an inseparable part of our social life, shaped by a historical state tradition, gaining momentum in the light of the achievements of the Constitutional Era and finally with the proclamation of the Republic and the transition to a multi-party system; where the national will is tested from time to time with heated debates and harsh tensions between podiums; and which finds its ultimate legitimacy in the state's wisdom, even if it experiences periods of conflict.

The Republic of Turkey and the dear Turkish nation are above political parties. The Turkish nation is at the center of politics and above all political structures. No intra-party struggle, no power struggle, and no personal resentment can be considered more important than our country's common future.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) is one of the deep-rooted institutions of Turkish political life, founded by our first President and eternal Commander-in-Chief, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

It is clear that there are deep differences between the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Republican People's Party in terms of ideas, politics, and worldview at the point reached today. These differences are a natural consequence of democratic life. This result is, of course, also valid for other parties that are motifs of our political life. The existence of differences cannot be considered a sign of weakness. On the contrary, every thought that remains within national borders and democratic legitimacy contributes to the richness of Turkish politics and democratic life.

"THE DISCREDITING CAMPAIGN AGAINST MR. KILIÇDAROĞLU IS NOT RIGHT"

Turkish democracy has never existed on a colorless and soulless ground where all parties repeat the same words. Democratic life is a great national consensus where different voices are heard, different ideas compete in the presence of the nation, but a common will is demonstrated when the survival of the state and the unity of the nation are at stake. Making political differences a pretext for conflict will not serve Turkey. Taking division to the level of hostility, poisoning competition with feelings of revenge, and turning intra-party disputes into social tension will damage the reputation of Turkish politics.

It is the most natural right of Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to voice the injustices he believes he has suffered, to apply to legal avenues, and to express his views on the future of the party he led as Chairman for years. Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu is a politician who has taken on responsibilities in Turkish politics for many years and has received the democratic support of millions of our citizens. It is not right for the assessments directed at him to turn into a campaign of insult, belittlement, and discrediting.

Furthermore, carrying all the resentments of the past into today's political arena, reopening old accounts at every opportunity, and constantly picking at wounds will not benefit anyone.

If politics becomes an arena of settling scores where anger never subsides, the competitive environment, framed by red and sharp lines of democracy, gradually turns into a vortex of hostility. The accounting of the past should not turn into a quest for revenge that holds the future hostage.

"MR. ÖZEL'S POLITICAL LABOR AND POSITION MUST BE MET WITH RESPECT"

Mr. Özgür Özel's political labor, both under the roof of the Republican People's Party and the Chairman's office he represents with the New Party, which recently entered Turkish political life, as well as the 91 deputies who trust his politics and the potential electorate who do not spare their good wishes, are evident.

We would not want Mr. Özel to be upset, for his political personality to be worn down amidst daily debates, or for him to be made a target of the settling of scores continuing in the CHP – New Party wing. Just as Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu's rights were legally respected, Mr. Özel's experience and position must also be met with respect. Turkish politics does not allow for a shallow understanding that discards one right while acknowledging another.

New political formations emerging within or around the Republican People's Party should also be evaluated within the natural course of democratic life. While a new path is being opened with the establishment of the New Party, it will not yield correct results for old companions to harbor hatred and envy for each other, or for those remaining to be accused of betrayal and those leaving to be accused of disloyalty. Politics will not walk in the smoke of burned bridges. Broken hearts, harsh words, and mutual accusations will eventually wear down not only individuals and parties but also social peace.

"OFFICES ARE TEMPORARY, WHAT IS ETERNAL IS THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY"

The badge ceremonies, extras, and organizational debates reflected in the public eye in recent days must also be clarified in all aspects. The claim that the Republican People's Party's deep-rooted history is building a future on artificial crowds, fake images, and prepared mise-en-scènes has landed like a heavy blow to the heart of Turkish political life. Halls filled without touching hearts have no validity. Besides this, attacking people's honor and dignity through allegations whose reality has not yet been confirmed and resorting to political execution with preconceived notions is also unacceptable. The truth must be revealed in the light of the law, and the dark shadow of rumor politics must not be cast over our democracy.

What needs to be done today is not to make all the debates on the CHP-New Party line the main agenda item of Turkey. All parties, especially Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu and Mr. Özel, must act within the framework of common sense, maintain mutual respect, and take political struggle out of personal settling of scores.

The Nationalist Movement Party does not reconcile with its political morality, which has left half a century behind, to derive benefit from internal disputes breaking out in any wing of the political spectrum, to hope for help from fragmentations, or to produce fortune from weaknesses. We derive our strength and agenda from the dear Turkish nation, from the ideals that shape our identity, from our 'Red Apple' of the Turkish and Turkey Century, and from our commitment to the Republic of Turkey.

In a period where circles of fire are expanding around us, regional calculations are intensifying, and global power struggles are hardening, Turkey's energy cannot be consumed with temporary agendas.

While preserving the corporate identity of the Republican People's Party, Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu's political and legal rights can be observed; respect can be shown to Mr. Özel's Chairman's office, which has sprouted anew with the New Party, and his political struggle. The possibilities of Turkish democracy and the wisdom of the Turkish nation are more than enough for this.

It should not be forgotten that offices are temporary, individuals are mortal. What is eternal is the Republic of Turkey, and the sole power that is its guardian is the great Turkish nation."

News Source: 12punto