In a statement released today on behalf of 81 CHP provincial chairs, the party opposed demands for a congress and expressed support for chair Özgür Özel.
However, from the very first moment, this declaration became the subject of polemic.
Some commentators, recalling that at least half of the current provincial chairs supported 7th President Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the last congress, argued that it was unlikely that almost all of them would have signed such a declaration a year later.
However, during the day, many provincial presidents shared this statement on their social media accounts.
Adıgüzel: A text that also negates the promise of its chairman
Reactions to the declaration have also started to come.
CHP Ordu MP Mustafa Adıgüzel reacted to the statement on his Twitter account.
The following words in Adıgüzel's statement drew attention:
“The last paragraph of the statement published today under the pseudonym of 81 provincial presidents has deeply upset me. First of all, this statement is a text that negates the promise of Mr. President, who said the other day “I am ending all discussions”. It is a text that also negates the promise of the General President who said ”I am ending all discussions" the other day. The text frequently emphasizes Atatürk's Party and attempts to emotionally clamp down on democratic objections to the party leadership. In addition, our March 31st election success is put as a dam against all objections."
“Totalitarian approach against plurality in the party”
Adıgüzel's statement also implied that the declaration was imposed on provincial chairs by force.
“Adıgüzel said, ”The goal of those who wrote that it is necessary to keep silent ”in order to make Atatürk's party in power“ and forced 81 provincial presidents is not a national success, but an internal party success and the fortification of the administration.” In the following parts of his statement, Adıgüzel said, "As a result, those who have tried to prevent all criticism with the success of March 31 and survey data have put forward the statement presented as 81 provincial presidents as the third breakwater. This wholesale approach, which is contrary to plurality of voices in the party, is also against our provincial chairs and organizational workers who work for this organization and ensure the formation of this democratic culture.".
Finally, Adıgüzel added that his statement was not on behalf of a group, but on his own behalf.
“There is no unanimity in democracies”
Former CHP Eskişehir MP Gaye Usluer also reacted to the statement issued on behalf of 81 provincial chairs.
Usluer's statement included the following criticisms: “Unanimity” does not mean that everyone agrees, it means that the will is absolute and closed to discussion/argument. There is no unanimity in democracies!”.