With its social democratic tradition, the CHP has always had a culture of debate. There have always been wings and criticisms within the party. Although these conflicts sometimes even led to parting of ways, they never turned into enmity.
They have become a threat to internal peace in CHP
Trolls were first widely used on social media by the AKP for political purposes. Their most important targets were the CHP and the opposition. However, the accounts known as “Ak trolls” have recently lost their fire. This time, however, another group of trolls has become a major threat to the internal peace of the CHP. They are ostensibly CHP supporters or opponents. Their profiles sometimes include a photo of a CHP leader or mayor. Sometimes they identify themselves as “Revolutionary”, “Progressive”, “Kemalist”, “Atatürkist”, "Democrat", etc. It is obvious that some of them do not want to use their real names on social media and act individually. However, there are also posts that raise suspicion that some of them are affiliated with a certain center, that they act in an organized manner and that they do this for money.
Their most important target is Kılıçdaroğlu...
These trolls, some of whom are bot accounts, have played a very destructive role in the recent debates within the CHP. One of the most important targets of these so-called opposition trolls is CHP's 7th chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Heavy posts targeting Kılıçdaroğlu are made at almost every opportunity. So much so that even during the debate that started with an allegation made by journalist Nevşin Mengü, it was seen that some accounts that describe themselves with expressions such as “Marxist” and “Revolutionary” targeted Kılıçdaroğlu's origin and sect with a very racist and fascist language. The worst part is that some well-known people also supported these accounts with likes and RTs.
Not going well
Let's say it now. This is not good. Whoever feels the need to feed such accounts is not doing well. At the end of the day, in the CHP, which really needs unity, such harsh exchanges widen the divide among party supporters. It is also likely that this divergence will turn into mutual hatred over time. For this reason, the CHP should first and foremost protect the reputation of not only the current but also the past leaders of the party, and should not refrain from resorting to judicial remedies when necessary, without dismissing accounts that make harsh insults as “these are trolls”. Otherwise, the poison spread by the trolls started by the AKP, but which certain circles that identify themselves as CHP supporters are apparently quite fond of using, will spread throughout the entire body.