Former CHP deputies join in dissent

Some 50 former deputies of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) have joined the dissidents in vocing their discontent against the party leader and calling for his resignation.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s predecessor, Deniz Baykal, and the former secretary-general of the party, Önder Sav, have also been supporting these calls, the CHP’s former deputy parliamentary group chair, Kemal Anadol confirmed, after reading a joint statement by former deputies at a press conference he held at Parliament.

“We believe in alternative leadership that will bring the party in line with establishing its targets,” Anadol said on Aug. 15, at a press conference with nine former CHP deputes.

He stressed “disappointment” regarding the party’s nomination of Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu for presidency, particularly for the part of society and CHP voters who embrace Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s “principles and reforms.”

Citing Kılıçdaroğlu who said he was taking a risk in nominating İhsanoğlu, Anadol called on the CHP leader to “pay the price for taking this risk.”

The total amount of votes that İhsanoğlu received was “a major failure,” Anadol said, adding Kılıçdaroğlu still has not realized the negative impact the election results have had on the party.
He supported the decision to hold a new party congress, adding the CHP need to change their structure and approach to domestic politics.