In your opinion, have those who have led the 103-year-old Republican People\u2019s Party over the past two years been managing the party in a manner consistent with its principles, mission, and founding philosophy?<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n What differences do you see between the CHP\u2019s 103-year history and its current approach to governance? <\/b><\/span>Has the CHP strayed from its principles?<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n I joined the Republican People\u2019s Party, founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk, approximately 12.5 years ago, in accordance with the principles you have also outlined. The CHP is the founding party of this country.<\/span><\/p>\n Following his struggles on the battlefields, Atat\u00fcrk founded this party with the aim of bringing the Republic of Turkey and its citizens to the level of modern civilization, and ensuring that our people could lead a modern life in keeping with the demands of the age.<\/span><\/p>\n Until the current CHP leadership took office, efforts were made to remain faithful to this philosophy and the party\u2019s founding values. However, following Mr. \u00d6zg\u00fcr \u00d6zel\u2019s assumption of office, this principled stance was abandoned, and instead, relationships based on self-interest began to be established. The party has been left to fend for itself with policies aimed at merely getting by.<\/span><\/p>\n The Republican People\u2019s Party has begun to be run as if it were the party of a single individual rather than the party of the nation. With this approach, the Republican People\u2019s Party\u2014founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk\u2014has strayed from its true identity, its own philosophy, and its founding principles. The party has been driven into a structure dominated by personal interests rather than the interests of society and the public.<\/span><\/p>\n At this point in time, the CHP has been severed from its founding values; it has been led away from the principles and ideals entrusted to it by Atat\u00fcrk and transformed into a party that serves the interests of individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n As you know, there are currently members who have been expelled from the party. The latest figure is 1,150 people. You are among those who have been expelled. <\/b><\/span>On what grounds were you expelled from the party? <\/b><\/span>Are \u00d6zg\u00fcr \u00d6zel and Ekrem \u0130mamo\u011flu\u2019s team specifically targeting K\u0131l\u0131\u00e7daro\u011flu supporters within the party? <\/b><\/span>Also, what are your thoughts on the procedures for expulsion from the party?<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The reason I was expelled from the party was a tweet I posted. It was a warning tweet. I stated that the Republican People\u2019s Party should not collaborate with individuals linked to terrorism.<\/span><\/p>\n The Republican People\u2019s Party is the party that founded this country. It was established after an extremely arduous struggle\u2014such as the War of Independence\u2014to ensure that the Republic of Turkey would endure strong and vibrant for all time. This political party, entrusted to us by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk, must stand against all forms of terrorism and strive to preserve the state structure of the Republic of Turkey and the will of the Turkish people for future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n It is unacceptable to meet with or collaborate with individuals linked to terrorism just to gain three or five extra votes. Let there be no misunderstanding here; I am not referring to legally established political parties. Let no one twist the issue. However, the reality is that over the past two years, the CHP has been dragged into a position where it conducts politics based on personal agendas.<\/span><\/p>\n At this point, people have gathered around a single individual in pursuit of his goals; most of them lack any philosophy of life, have no vision for Turkey, and are primarily driven by their own personal interests. The party has been reduced to serving the political ambitions of that one person.<\/span><\/p>\n During this process, idealistic, true Atat\u00fcrkists, democrats, and patriots within the party are being expelled simply for liking a post, making a critical comment on social media, or criticizing a policy of the ruling party. This is exactly what happened to me.<\/span><\/p>\n A political party that identifies itself as social democratic is currently exhibiting a disciplinary approach that is far removed from social democracy and verges on the fascist. Instructions received by an individual on specific days of the week from certain sources are relayed to the relevant bodies; these bodies, in turn, expel people from the party without question.<\/span><\/p>\n With this mindset, it is impossible for a party to maintain its social democratic identity. Such a structure gradually ceases to be a democratic party and transforms into an authoritarian one.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the past two years, the campaign began with talk of \u201creconciliation,\u201d followed by months of rallies centered on the political future of a figure whose actions remain unclear. Yet these rallies always feature the same people, the same slogans, and the same clich\u00e9d phrases. No serious, solution-oriented politics addressing Turkey\u2019s real problems or the ruling party\u2019s actual mistakes has been put forward.<\/span><\/p>\n In its current state, the Republican People\u2019s Party has strayed from its founding purpose. It is like a ship adrift in a vast ocean, its rudder locked, being tossed in the direction dictated by the wind and waves. This picture offers no hope for the future, neither for our party nor for our country.<\/span><\/p>\n To remedy this situation\u2014and I say this without naming names\u2014we need people who are competent, who truly have this country\u2019s best interests at heart, and who treat the legacy of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk as their own, as well as a strong party organization.<\/span><\/p>\n If you expel everyone who crosses your path from the party, tomorrow you won\u2019t find a single person there with common sense who will speak the truth and steer you in the right direction. Everyone will be reduced to a position where they simply do whatever you tell them to do. This benefits neither Turkey nor the Republican People\u2019s Party.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, those who have been expelled from the Republican People\u2019s Party today are the very people who have upheld the trust placed in this country and this party. It is clear that the current leadership is unaware of the weight of that trust.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of denying everything, this is what needs to be done: Keep those who have acted improperly on the sidelines until the allegations against them are clarified; and ensure they return to their posts once they have been cleared. At the same time, a serious, comprehensive, and credible plan and program must be put in place.<\/span><\/p>\n Otherwise, if we think of the party as a ship, we see that it continues to take on water. The growing number of people expelled or excluded from the party harms not only the Republican People\u2019s Party but the entire political structure in Turkey.<\/span><\/p>\n Because as trust in the political system erodes, people begin to view politics with suspicion. This situation is also a great injustice to those who are truly dedicated to serving the country, democracy, and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\n Not every politician is driven by personal gain rather than ideals. The essence of politics lies in doing what is best for the country, boosting the economy, contributing to economic independence, and elevating Turkey to a position of strength and influence in this challenging region.<\/span><\/p>\n To be strong, we need a strong economy. A strong economy, in turn, is only possible with a sound R&D policy, a developed industrial sector, a strengthened agricultural sector, and a robust education and legal system\u2014all supported by a productive and informed society. Health, agriculture, education, law, and social policies must be addressed as a unified whole.<\/span><\/p>\n For all of this, we need a healthy Republican People\u2019s Party and a strong main opposition party. Unfortunately, we see none of this in the CHP today. The party continues to be engulfed in the storm it has created.<\/span><\/p>\n For quite some time now, allegations of money, bribery, and corruption have been circulating within the Republican People\u2019s Party. Indeed, these allegations have taken on a more concrete form with the indictment titled \u201cEkrem \u0130mamo\u011flu Criminal Organization for Profit,\u201d which has been made public. I would like to offer an assessment based on the indictment, the confessions, the information reported in the media, and your own findings.<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n At this point, the following question is unavoidable: Has the ideological struggle within the CHP given way to the power of money? Where do \u00d6zg\u00fcr \u00d6zel and Ekrem \u0130mamo\u011flu derive their power from?<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Political parties have an ideology; they have ideals and goals shaped by that ideology. However, at this point in time, we do not see the Republican People\u2019s Party upholding its ideology in a healthy manner, nor do we see this ideology being discussed and developed on a philosophical foundation. Nor is there a political perspective that offers hope or discusses ideals for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead, the picture we see is this: There is one person, and a group of interests has formed around that person\u2019s political fortunes. The Republican People\u2019s Party has ceased to be a structure capable of mounting a strong and consistent response to the mistakes the ruling party has made to date; it has become a party that speaks only of one person\u2019s fortunes, as if no mistakes had ever been made in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet Turkey is situated in one of the world\u2019s most critical regions. We are at the heart of the Middle East, across from Africa, command the Mediterranean, border the Caucasus, and are in direct contact with Europe. In this region, everyone has their own interests, ideals, and plans. Major powers closely monitor Turkey\u2019s trajectory and seek to influence it; this is entirely natural.<\/span><\/p>\n This is precisely why both the ruling party and the main opposition party must act with a high degree of political and historical awareness. The main opposition party must be in a position to provide leadership\u2014one that can interpret domestic and foreign policy and accurately analyze Turkey\u2019s strengths and weaknesses.<\/span><\/p>\n However, as things stand, we see that the Republican People\u2019s Party has been grappling with its own internal problems for months. Moreover, these issues are of a nature that offends the public conscience and is deeply disturbing. Allegations of theft, corruption, and immorality are being discussed. I have already taken legal action because these issues have been raised.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, anyone can commit a crime as an individual; however, no one has the right to tarnish this party\u2019s history or this community. Similarly, I do not approve of actions taken to defend someone who has done wrong. What needs to be done is very clear:<\/span><\/p>\n Since Mr. \u00d6zg\u00fcr \u00d6zel is the Chairman of the political party we are proud to belong to, he should have clearly stated from the very beginning that anyone associated with allegations of theft, corruption, immorality, and treason would be excluded from the party until proven innocent.<\/span><\/p>\n However, we see today that the party is being mismanaged. There is no serious or sincere effort to address the problems within the party. On the contrary, those who criticize figures held in high regard by the Party Leader are being pushed out of the party. Those being pushed out are not the ones causing problems; they are the ones upholding the values entrusted to the party.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cA review of the \u201dEkrem \u0130mamo\u011flu Criminal Organization for Profit\u2018 case reveals that the case file contains not only financial ties but also links to parallel structures. In fact, it appears that the indictment includes a charge of \u2019espionage\u201d as well.<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Given this situation, is it fair to say that not only the Republican People\u2019s Party but also the Republic of Turkey is in danger?<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n We are facing a situation that is truly causing the country serious trouble. This is not the sort of thing ordinary people would do. However, I would like to emphasize the following: There is currently an indictment on the table. We are talking about an indictment that is nearly 3,000 pages long.<\/span><\/p>\n I will not delve into the contents of the indictment or assess the charges. That is a matter for the defense and Mr. Ekrem \u0130mamo\u011flu\u2019s attorneys. Of course, it is possible that all the charges in this indictment could be legally refuted. If that happens, we will step forward and offer our congratulations. No one would object to that.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the matter does not end there. Looking at Mr. \u00d6zg\u00fcr \u00d6zel\u2019s stance: if a person\u2019s father passes away, they naturally visit the grave on the first, second, or third day\u2014or at specific times\u2014in accordance with their faith. However, going to Silivri every Wednesday to hold meetings, followed by constant statements and rallies, puts the Republican People\u2019s Party in serious trouble as a legal entity.<\/span><\/p>\n At this point we have to ask the question: <\/span>Who is leading this party, and to whom has it been entrusted?<\/span><\/p>\n The Republican People\u2019s Party cannot be equated with an individual who is the subject of an appeal by the Chief Prosecutor\u2019s Office and faces such serious charges. Once the legal process is completed and innocence is proven, that person may return and even assume the highest positions within the Republican People\u2019s Party. No one would object to that.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the fact that the leader of the main opposition party spends one day a week in Silivri on this case is detrimental to both the party and the individual involved. In my view, this situation is also taking a toll on Mr. \u00d6zg\u00fcr \u00d6zel.<\/span><\/p>\n Why have such serious allegations surfaced? Is it because of the pandemic? Or is there another reason? This is precisely where my passion and objections on this matter stem from. With such serious allegations on the table, it is wrong for the Chairperson of the Republican People\u2019s Party and the current leadership to act as if nothing has happened.<\/span><\/p>\n If this party is tarnished, we won\u2019t be able to shake that off for years. That\u2019s why we said, \u201cwhile there\u2019s still time.\u201d When a person gets sick, they go to the doctor. But if there are allegations of injustice, theft, and corruption, where will you go? Of course, you turn to the law.<\/span><\/p>\n We did just that. We turned to the courts to clear this stain on our party\u2019s reputation. If there is nothing to it, this will be proven in court, and no one will be able to brand the Republican People\u2019s Party as having engaged in \u201cfraud or corruption.\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n But if wrongdoings have indeed taken place, those responsible must be held accountable. If there are two rotten apples in a barrel, you have to remove those two rotten apples to save the good ones.<\/span><\/p>\n If there are individuals engaging in acts of injustice, corruption, or shamelessness, they must be expelled from the party. However, at this point in time, we see the following: Any person who is upright, honorable, speaks out against wrongdoing, and points the way to the right path has been sidelined and expelled from the party by the current CHP leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n While these honorable people are being ruthlessly ostracized, individuals facing numerous allegations and with cases currently under appeal are being protected. Even though there are serious allegations against the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, this person\u2019s past actions and their potential consequences cause immense harm to the legal entity of the Republican People\u2019s Party.<\/span><\/p>\n If you expel innocent people from the party while protecting those implicated in all sorts of scandals, this is one of the greatest wrongs that could be done to the Republican People\u2019s Party, a 102-year-old institution.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To our nation\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/hH1KF1rlTw<\/a><\/p>\n - Kemal K\u0131l\u0131\u00e7daro\u011flu (@kilicdarogluk) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/halkweb.com.tr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/kurultay.jpg\")
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