Sharp reaction from CHP delegate to Berhan Şimşek: 'Well done Berhan, go talk to A Haber!'

The Republican People's Party (CHP) 21st Extraordinary Congress began this morning at 10:00 AM at the Ankara Sports Hall. The congress took place with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel participating as the sole candidate. The event that left its mark on the congress was the statement made by former MP Berhan Şimşek, whose candidacy application was rejected, and the sharp reaction he received from a delegate.

CANDIDACY BLOCKED BY THE BOARD

The application of Berhan Şimşek, who announced his candidacy against Özel, was rejected by the Congress Board on the grounds that it was "submitted 5 minutes late." Following this, Şimşek appeared before the press in the congress hall and made harsh statements regarding the events. Stating that he faced major obstacles in reaching the congress, Şimşek accused the party administration and argued that difficulties were created in allowing delegates to enter.

"My party colleagues are witnesses. You cannot get inside. The friends with me do not have the documents. The Headquarters is not providing the documents. My friends entered 5 minutes late. There are 97 signatures here, but the Congress Board did not even grant the right to speak on procedure. In the congress where Özgür Özel was elected, the lists were provided four hours later. Now we are facing an accelerated congress, an accelerated structure."

'A HABER' REACTION FROM CHP DELEGATE

While Şimşek's statements continued, a CHP delegate in the congress hall reacted by bringing up the fact that Şimşek had previously given an interview to A Haber. The delegate shouted, "Berhan, well done! Go give an interview to A Haber!" These words caused a brief moment of tension in the hall.

In his speech, Berhan Şimşek also attacked CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Criticizing Özel's party policies and rhetoric in harsh language, Şimşek recalled many issues ranging from his "I don't have as much comfort as Atatürk" remark to his promise that "Yeni Rakı will be 140 TL," arguing that Özel's rhetoric harms the seriousness of the party.

"Mr. Özel, you asked the MIT Undersecretary about the members. You had lights turned on and off in July. There is no end to your gaffes. If you had said, 'I will stand up before Tayyip Erdoğan, I will shake hands with Bahçeli, I will normalize,' would the delegates inside have given you 100 votes? This is a one-sided match; this single list means 'welcome Tayyip Erdoğan'."

''CHP IS NO ONE'S HOLDING COMPANY''

Emphasizing the roots and history of the CHP throughout his speech, Şimşek continued his criticism of the structure within the party:

"This party was not founded with a petition. Its petition was written with the blood of our ancestors in Gallipoli, in Sivas, on the front lines. When I was writing 'CHP' on the walls in this party, Mr. Özgür Özel and those around him were still wearing short pants."

News Source: 12punto