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Former leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, has issued a sharp call for his party to "purify" itself from corruption allegations. The move received immediate support from his long-term rival, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kilicdaroglu shared a rare video message on social media addressing the ongoing controversies surrounding the party, specifically commenting on the arrest of former Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu within the scope of a corruption investigation.
Imamoglu was detained early Wednesday, March 19, along with 105 others as part of a wide-ranging investigation into a criminal organisation allegedly involved in fraud and bribery.
Criticizing current CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel and the party administration for waging continuous support for Imamoglu, Kilicdaroglu took a hard line.
"The Republican People's Party cannot be associated with bribery, corruption, or the contractors of the bribery wheel. It cannot proceed with slander and corruption allegations hanging over it. It must be purified immediately and continue on its path," Kilicdaroglu stated, referring to corruption charges against Imamoglu.
Kilicdaroglu also criticized the CHP's decision not to assign a lawmaker to the parliamentary delegation scheduled to meet with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.
The delegation, formed following a call by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, includes MPs from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party).
Arguing that the CHP should have been involved, Kilicdaroglu said, "CHP must be involved in the process for the highest interests of the state. It must take risks and put its hand under the stone by looking at the issue above politics. Being on the right side of history often requires courage and determination."
President Erdogan expressed support for Kilicdaroglu’s remarks as he departed South Africa for the G-20 summit. He also harshly criticized Imamoglu and Ozel.
"If someone has paved a way that carries water to their theft and corruption, we will cut those roads," Erdogan said. "We see that Mr. Kilicdaroglu is disturbed by the snakes he fed in his bosom and has rebelled. This means there is a bribery ring. He admits it himself. We hope CHP members can save their party from this octopus surrounding it."
The tension stems from the leadership change following the May 2023 presidential elections, in which Kilicdaroglu lost to Erdogan by a narrow margin. At the subsequent congress in November 2023, Ozgur Ozel defeated Kilicdaroglu to become the new CHP Chairman, backed significantly by Imamoglu.
Kilicdaroglu, who had faced criticism for running for president instead of fielding Imamoglu, claimed after his defeat that he was "stabbed in the back" by his former allies.
With a new congress scheduled for next week, the internal opposition close to Kilicdaroglu is demanding the dismissal of party executives named in the corruption investigation.
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