21.09.2025 14:50
The absence of former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the 22nd Extraordinary Congress, where Özgür Özel was re-elected as chairman, drew significant attention. It was claimed that Kılıçdaroğlu, who was invited by Özel via phone, did not attend the congress because he was hurt and weary due to the distortion of his previous conversations with both the chairman and those who visited him to ask for his opinion.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel was re-elected as chairman by receiving all 835 valid votes at the 22nd Extraordinary Congress held today.
KILIÇDAROĞLU DID NOT ATTEND THE CONGRESS
While former chairpersons Hikmet Çetin and Murat Karayalçın, whom Özel invited by phone before the congress, took their places in the hall, it was noteworthy that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu did not attend.
"HE WAS USED IN A PERCEPTION OPERATION"
CNN TÜRK Ankara Representative Dicle Canova conveyed what was being discussed behind the scenes regarding Kılıçdaroğlu's absence from the congress. Canova stated, "Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's previous conversations with the party headquarters, the chairman, and those who visited him to ask for his opinion were distorted. He was used in a perception operation. The party headquarters tried to turn these to their advantage. The aim was not to establish communication, but to gain an advantage. He was hurt by all this; he is resentful and weary. Therefore, it is said that he has decided not to speak anymore.
In line with this decision, his absence from today's congress can be interpreted as follows: Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has been maintaining a stance from the beginning and has shown that he will not engage in any words or actions that would undermine this stance. In his previous messages, he had signaled that he could accept the position if a possible 'absolute annulment' decision were to be made; there were messages indicating that it is better than having a trustee, and that we would come and hand over the party to the new administration as soon as possible.
"KILIÇDAROĞLU WAS QUITE DAMAGED IN THIS PROCESS"
However, this caused serious reactions, especially among those in the party headquarters and the circles supporting the headquarters. Frankly, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was quite damaged in this process, as a former chairman. Today, Özgür Özel also mentioned this in his speech; however, it seemed as if others, by someone else, were speaking about the former chairman being damaged in order to sow discord and strife within the party."