30.05.2026 18:30
"With the leadership crisis in CHP, a cardboard cutout of a mayor made its mark on the rallies held at two separate locations. Unable to attend the rally in front of the Ankara Provincial Directorate due to an accident, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik sent his cardboard cutout to the rally site via Alanya District Chairman Bülent Kandemir."
The Republican People's Party (CHP) experienced one of the most extraordinary and tense days in its history. With the court's 'absolute nullity' decision, the leadership race between Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the CHP General Chairmanship, and the suspended Özgür Özel spilled into the streets with two separate Eid greetings held on the same day and at the same time.
TWO DIFFERENT RALLIES AT THE SAME TIME
Addressing party members in the CHP headquarters garden after 2.5 years at exactly 14:00, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu targeted the Özgür Özel administration, saying, 'I apologize to you for not recognizing the FETÖ terrorist organization agents who sold their souls in time.'
Simultaneously with Kılıçdaroğlu, Özgür Özel also stood on a bus in front of the CHP Ankara Provincial Directorate building in Güvenpark, addressing supporters. While some of the organization and voters went to the headquarters, others chose to attend Özel's rally.
MAYOR COULD NOT COME, SENT A CUTOUT
During one of the rallies highlighting the leadership crisis in the CHP, a striking image was recorded. The CHP Mayor of Alanya, Antalya, Osman Tarık Özçelik, could not attend either leader's invitation due to health issues. However, to show his allegiance, Özçelik sent his cardboard cutout to Özgür Özel's rally in front of the Ankara Provincial Directorate.
"'SHOW THAT I'M SUPPORTING THERE,' HE SAID, SO WE HANDLED IT THIS WAY"
CHP Alanya District Chairman Bülent Kandemir, who brought the life-sized cutout of Mayor Özçelik from Antalya to the rally area in Ankara, made the following statement amid the surprised looks: "Osman Tarık Özçelik could not come here because he had an accident. But he really wanted to be here. He said, 'Show that I'm supporting there.' We handled this situation this way."