The split within Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) and the tension between Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Özgür Özel will openly manifest today with the Eid al-Adha celebrations of the organization's members.
Modern.az reports, citing Turkish media, that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the party leadership by court order, and Özgür Özel, the head of the parliamentary group who was removed from the leadership by the court, will celebrate Eid with party members at the same time today, but at two different locations. At 2:00 PM Turkish time, Kılıçdaroğlu will speak from the CHP headquarters, while Özel will address the public from Güvenpark Square in front of the Ankara Provincial Organization. The messages from both leaders, as well as the level of interest party members show in each event, are in focus.
Kılıçdaroğlu will be at the CHP Headquarters again as chairman after two and a half years. He will use the chairman's office for the first time after the court decision. Kılıçdaroğlu will begin his speech with Nazım Hikmet's poem "Yürümek" (To Walk) and address party members from the balcony at the entrance of the building. He will be greeted with flowers upon his arrival at the headquarters, and white doves will be released into the air after his speech.
Kılıçdaroğlu's close circle stated that his speech would be a kind of "manifesto." According to them, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will talk about the recent events surrounding the CHP, announce his future plans, and voice both self-criticism and criticism and accusations regarding the ongoing processes. Sources indicated that this event is not a rally but aims to celebrate Eid and resolve grievances at the party's "ancestral home."
Strict security measures have been taken for the event. A large photo of Kılıçdaroğlu with the inscription "Now is the time for purification" will be hung on the building of the General Headquarters, and another photo with the slogan "Justice and Dignity" will be displayed in the courtyard. The slogans and banners to be used at the event will also convey messages of "purification" and "tolerance."
The next steps of Özgür Özel, who was removed from the CHP chairmanship by court order, have also been determined. According to information, Özel's supporters will start collecting signatures for an extraordinary congress next week.
On June 2, Özel will hold the parliamentary group meeting that Kılıçdaroğlu said "cannot be held without my instruction." In addition, he will continue his provincial visits and rallies.
Various activities are planned to implement Özel's proposal to "give our 2 million members the right to elect the chairman." In this context, options such as holding votes similar to the primary election boxes organized for Ekrem İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy, or expressing the will of the members through conferences and presenting it to the congress, are being discussed.
Özel will continue his activities mainly in his capacity as group leader in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. His close circle stated that a separate office is not currently planned, but this could be re-evaluated depending on the development of the situation.
Regarding claims about the formation of a new party, sources said: "If they deprive us of the opportunity to participate in elections, then the issue of a new party may come to the agenda."
It is reported that Özgür Özel will deliver a message emphasizing his determination to remain in the party at today's meeting in Güvenpark. His close circle commented on the event:
"A significant number of people will gather. But our goal is not to make a numerical comparison. Our goal is to show that Özgür Özel and his team are supported, and that there is an injustice. These activities will continue after Eid."
A.Qorxmaz
