Watching the debates within the Republican People's Party in recent days, one can't help but think of the following question: Is it really about principle, or is it about old scores over personalities?
As soon as Gürsel Tekin was appointed as Istanbul Provincial Chair by the committee, the same word started to be heard in some circles: “Trustee.”
And is it really?
When a person is appointed as a trustee, there are clear indicators.
Who has the party's financial accounts?
Who manages income and expenditure?
Who controls the party's money?
Who makes the appointments of district presidencies?
Who manages the party's official communication channels?
When you look at the picture today, the answer to none of these questions is “Gürsel Tekin”. Despite this, he is still in the field; he continues to be active in meetings, protocols, in short, in the party.
Then one has to ask:
If there is no real trustee situation, why so much blame and anger?
One of the most interesting aspects of politics is the short memory. Three or five years ago, a significant number of the same names were taking a very respectful position against Gürsel Tekin. Today, we see the same circles using a much harsher language.
I do not have a special relationship with Gürsel Tekin, nor do I have any intimacy with him beyond political comradeship. However, as an outsider, it is impossible not to see the following reality: Despite all the criticism, insults and political attacks, there is still a figure who continues to carry the flag of the CHP.
Therefore, it is necessary to think a little more honestly about the real ground of the debate. Is it really about “trustees”? Or is it just a new curtain on the personal rivalries, old scores and power struggles that we often see in Turkish politics?
Today's debate within the CHP actually shows a general picture of Turkish politics. In political parties, concepts are often detached from their real meaning and turned into political tools. “Trustee” seems to have recently become one of these tools.
But there is another side to politics: time.
Slogans are forgotten with the passage of time, but the attitude and character of people remain in the memory. That is why the true meaning of today's debates will perhaps become clearer years from now.
I hope that CHP members will learn the necessary lessons from this process and come to their senses. They will free themselves from the structure around Ekrem İmamoğlu, which seems to have taken over the party, as soon as possible.
The Republican People's Party is not an ordinary political organization. It is a historical legacy representing the founding will of the Republic. That is why the direction and character of the CHP is always measured against the principles laid down by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
One of the things Atatürk feared most was that the party would be dragged into personal calculations and petty power struggles. The true cornerstone of the CHP has always been and will always be these founding values.
Because one of the most difficult things in politics is this:
It is easy to criticize, but it is difficult to carry a burden.