CHP Izmir MP Mahir Polat, Stating that district presidents have an important place in terms of the party organization, Polat stated that the expulsion of those who criticize does not coincide with the party's core values. Polat called on party committees to act with common sense and called for unity.
The great leader Ataturk,
as he said when describing our nation's unbending wrist and undefeatable spirit;
district presidencies are our party's yurt tent in the Taurus Mountains,
Our district presidents are our unbending ankle.Expressing constructive criticism, the district...
- Mahir Polat (@vekilmahirpolat) February 25, 2026
CHP Izmir MP Sevda Erdan Kilic In his statement, Kılıç stated that he found the expulsion of party members who worked hard during difficult times unacceptable. Emphasizing that the CHP has grown with the principles of democracy and pluralism, Kılıç stated that differences of opinion are richness.
This photo is from the streets of Kağıthane during the 2017 referendum campaign.
The memory of the party is built by sweat and sacrifice.
It is unacceptable that Mehmet Ali Yüksel, our former District Chair of Kağıthane, and his fellow party members were expelled for signing the declaration.
It is difficult pic.twitter.com/ROAxPic3yy
- Av. Sevda Erdan Kılıç (@SEVDAERDAN) February 25, 2026
CHP Tunceli MP Gürsel Erol Stating that internal opposition is part of the CHP's political tradition, Erol said that the free expression of different views strengthens the party. Erol stated that the expulsion decisions may create controversy in terms of proportionality and party law, and noted that the principles of justice and law should be observed in disciplinary processes.
In the political culture and historical tradition of the Republican People's Party, there has always been intra-party opposition and the existence of different opinions. This is a natural consequence of our party's belief in democracy and pluralistic politics. The free expression of different ideas...
- Gürsel Erol (@gurselerol62) February 25, 2026
CHP Istanbul MP Gamze Akkuş İlgezdi also reacted to the dismissal decisions.
The essence and strength of democracy is the coming together of different voices. The fact that our comrades express their opinions by signing a declaration should be considered as an indication of their responsibility for the future of our party. The expression of ideas can be subject to heavy penalties such as expulsion...
- Dr. Gamze Akkuş İlgezdi (@gamzeilgezdi) February 25, 2026
In her post on her social media account, İlgezdi used the following expressions:
“The essence and strength of democracy is the coming together of different voices. The fact that our comrades express their opinions by signing a declaration should be considered as an indicator of their responsibility for the future of our party. Responding to the expression of ideas with severe sanctions such as expulsion harms the libertarian values we represent and our democratic tradition.
The strength of a political family comes from its members” ability to be honest with each other and listen to different views. Excluding those who have worked hard just because they have a different point of view damages our institutional memory and our unifying identity. What we need today is not to diminish by closing doors, but to expand the shadow of this great plane tree for everyone on the basis of common sense and justice."
SHAME ON YOU!
CHP Istanbul Call Committee Chairman Gürsel Tekin also reacted to the dismissals.
SHAME ON YOU!
Having spent his childhood and youth in the corridors of this party, having served as the chairman of the Kağıthane Youth Branch, having served as the district chairman; what conscience, what political reasoning is there to expel a comrade who has dedicated his life to the Republican People's Party?
In the country
- Gürsel Tekin (@gurseltekin34) February 25, 2026
“This decision is politically incorrect, conscientiously unacceptable and will remain as a black stain in the memory of the organization.” Tekin's statement is as follows
Having spent his childhood and youth in the corridors of this party, having served as the chairman of the Kağıthane Youth Branch, having served as the district chairman; what conscience, what political reasoning is there to expel a comrade who has dedicated his life to the Republican People's Party?
It is exemplary that those who shout from the rostrums that there is “no law, no justice” in the country, impose the harshest punishment in the fastest way. If the principle of justice defended outside is shelved inside, the problem is not discipline but understanding.
This decision, which prefers to liquidate a name that has given years to the party instead of protecting it, has punished not only a member, but the party's memory, labor and loyalty. Because the target of this decision is not a person, but a line of struggle with its past.
No political structure can grow stronger as long as loyalty is not rewarded, labor is not protected and criticism is considered hostility. History shows that it is loyalty, not expulsions, that makes parties grow.
This decision is politically incorrect, conscientiously unacceptable and will remain as a black stain in the memory of the organization.

