CHP launches disciplinary action into former deputy amid allegations against Ankara mayor

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has launched disciplinary action against former Ankara deputy Sinan Aygün over his remarks about party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and deputy chair Bülent Kuşoğlu amid bribery allegations by Aygün against Ankara's mayor.

Aygün accused Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş of soliciting for a bribe worth 25 million Turkish Liras after the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality decided to seal off the twin towers in Ankara owned by Aygün. The municipality and a court had said the towers had violated land rights.

The CHP has shown support to Yavaş, while the party's Ankara provincial head, Rıfkı Güvener, said that Aygün had "launched a public operation instead of waiting for the legal procedure."

"With this intention, he went live on a television channel known to be against [the CHP] and behaved in an insulting manner against [Kılıçdaroğlu], our party's corporate identity, and [Yavaş]," he said.

Güvener said that Aygün violated the party's values by "contributing to political works and actions against the CHP's fundamental principles."

The disciplinary action was launched against Aygün to expel him from the party, the provincial head added.

Yavaş and Aygün have filed criminal complaints against each other.

Feud's background

The feud began after the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality said the twin towers in Ankara, named "Togo Twin Towers," violated land rights and decided to seal off the building following a court ruling.

In 2016, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) filed a lawsuit against a change in zoning plans during the construction of the towers, on the grounds that it is "against the public interest." But the change in the...