03.09.2025 14:24
The leader of the CHP, Özel, responded to Gürsel Tekin, who was appointed as a trustee to the Istanbul Provincial Presidency, saying, "The presidency is not necessarily conducted in the building; we have started our duties." Özel added, "The Provincial Chairman works in the Provincial Building and acts on behalf of the party leader. My deputy, my namesake, and your comrade is Özgür Çelik." Özel also stated, "Today, we see that the elected delegates of the CHP are queuing at notaries. They are signing for an extraordinary congress."
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While the CHP focused on the hearing of the lawsuit filed for the annulment of the 38th Ordinary Congress, a critical development occurred in Istanbul. The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance, with its interim decision in the case filed for the annulment of the Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023, dismissed the provincial administration led by Özgür Çelik from duty.
GÜRSEL TEKİN APPOINTED AS TRUSTEE
Following the court's decision, Gürsel Tekin, who announced his departure from the CHP in 2024, was appointed as the trustee of the Istanbul Provincial Presidency. However, CHP officials announced that Tekin would not be allowed into the party building despite the court's decision.
"POLITICS CANNOT BE DONE BY SITTING IN THE BUILDING"
After the developments, Gürsel Tekin spoke to Sözcü, stating that they have effectively taken over the duty, saying, "My friends and I have started our duties as of today. The presidency is not necessarily done in the building. During my three and a half years as provincial president, I spent at most 40-45 days in our party building. Politics cannot be done by sitting in the building. I will not let anyone question my partisanship," he said.
ÖZEL'S IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO TEKIN'S WORDS
In response to Tekin's statement, "I have started my duty," Özgür Özel, the General President who visited the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency, gave an immediate reply. Özel stated, "This is one of the offices representing the position we inherited from Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Where does the CHP Provincial President work? The Provincial President works in the Provincial Building and acts on behalf of the General President. My deputy, my namesake, your comrade is Özgür Çelik. Özgür Çelik is at the helm of his duty as the Istanbul Provincial President. Recognizing this decision and accepting someone who is not elected as the provincial president would be a denial of both law and politics, of the ballot box and the election. Of course, we do not recognize this decision. Our provincial president and our administration continue their duties," he said.
"CHP'S ELECTED DELEGATES FORMED A QUEUE AT NOTARIES"
Continuing his words, Özel stated, "Since the early hours of the morning, we have been receiving dozens of phone calls. Today, we see that the elected delegates of the CHP are in line at notaries. They are signing for an extraordinary congress. This signature is being given against this unlawfulness even by those who did not vote in the election for the congress, those who are against Çelik. Everyone should know that today, the provincial delegates of the CHP are queuing at the notary to uphold their clean will and elections. With an extraordinary congress to be held in the coming days, the will of Istanbul will be reminded once again," he expressed.
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