Response from Özgür Özel to Kılıçdaroğlu

Speaking to Cumhuriyet newspaper, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel evaluated both the recent remarks by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the indictment prepared against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

“AN INDICTMENT FROM A POLITICIZED JUDICIARY CANNOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY”

Arguing that the indictment against İmamoğlu is political in nature, Özel stated, “An evidence-free indictment from a politicized judiciary cannot be taken seriously. The CHP will not abandon İmamoğlu.” Noting that the CHP base also believes the indictment is political, Özel emphasized that the party will not leave İmamoğlu isolated under any circumstances.

Addressing internal party discussions, Özel reminded that the office of the CHP chairmanship is a legacy from Atatürk and stated that he holds a special sensitivity toward former chairmen.

Özel said, “Former chairmen have the right to criticize, but as the current chairman, we do not have the right to criticize them. We must show loyalty. We have had no other attitude for two years, and we have no such intention today.”

“WE STRUGGLED TO CONTAIN THE REACTION FROM THE BASE”

Stating that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s remarks regarding “political purification” and “being brave in the resolution process” created a backlash among the party base, Özel said they struggled to calm these reactions.

Özel also reminded that the CHP has always offered concrete proposals during the resolution process and had presented a 29-article democratization package.

“OUR STANCE ON İMRALI WAS CLEAR”

Emphasizing that his own position during the İmralı talks process was clear, Özel said, “Criticisms directed at a chairman who had clearly defined his stance on going to İmralı have saddened the party.”

In his assessment of current judicial processes, Özel said that similar allegations had been faced in the past. He stated that they believe the indictment against İmamoğlu is political.

“The CHP cannot be part of any effort to isolate Ekrem İmamoğlu, whom 15.5 million people have shown as a presidential candidate,” Özel said, expressing that the party maintains a clear stance on this issue.

“I WILL INVITE KILIÇDAROĞLU TO THE CONGRESS”

Stating that he has been challenged by both the reactions from the party base and the current debates, Özel drew attention to the importance of maintaining calm.

The CHP leader said, “I will call Kemal Bey and invite him to the congress. I hope this statement remains an exception in the party's history. I will do whatever is necessary for this.”