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Türkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has stockpiled masks, food, and lemon supplies at its headquarters ahead of a Sept. 15 court hearing that could annul its 38th party congress.
Meanwhile, Chairman Ozgur Ozel vowed not to leave the building regardless of the ruling.
The party has mobilized supporters from all 81 provinces for a rally Saturday at 5 p.m. in Ankara's Anadolu Square, using automated calls featuring Ozel's speech to invite citizens.
All parliamentarians, provincial chairmen and organization executives have been summoned to the capital ahead of Monday's crucial hearing at Ankara's 42nd Civil Court of First Instance.
CHP officials have converted their headquarters into what resembles a supply depot, stockpiling over 3,000 masks, pasta, biscuits and lemons to counter potential tear gas.
Party sources speaking to Türkiye daily on Saturday confirmed that shifts have already begun at the building in preparation for a possible absolute nullity ruling.
"We will not accept the court decision and will consume the stockpiled products until the Extraordinary Congress on Sept. 21," party officials stated.
Party management has instructed that no one leave Ankara after the rally, requesting that all non-urgent matters be postponed or canceled to ensure close monitoring of the congress case.
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel confirmed he will monitor the case from party headquarters and will not leave the building regardless of the court's decision.
"If there's absolute nullity, we have our congress six days later. We will sit in our headquarters for six days. If someone wants to come to the headquarters, they won't be able to. If they do, we will defend our headquarters," Ozel said during an appearance on pro-opposition Sozcu TV with journalist Ugur Dundar.
The party leader revealed he met with former Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu 10 days ago, stating, "I don't see any tension or animosity from our general dialogue with Kemal Bey."
CHP officials stated they will not allow Kilicdaroglu to enter the headquarters if an absolute nullity decision emerges. Ozel addressed speculation about a potential trustee appointment following such a ruling.
"I don't think such a decision will come out, and I don't think Kemal Bey would stoop to such a thing," Ozel said, responding to questions about whether Kilicdaroglu might accept a trustee role.
He emphasized that removing Kilicdaroglu from the party is "a provocative question," adding, "We don't want to expel him from the party; we want to honor him."
Ozel revealed that delegates, excluding those from Istanbul, collected nearly 1,000 signatures in one and a half days to call for an extraordinary congress.
"Excluding Istanbul delegates, almost all of our remaining delegates collected 1,000 signatures in 1.5 days, and we decided on an extraordinary congress. Even if a trustee comes on the 16th, the party will elect its chairman on the 21st," he stated.
The CHP leader expressed no concern about Monday's potential ruling, describing the case as an attempt to "confuse and divide the CHP" through "specially selected operators."
Ozel confirmed he refused to meet with Gursel Tekin, who was appointed to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Administration by Istanbul's 45th Civil Court of First Instance, calling him a "trustee" and stating he would not recognize him as a legitimate interlocutor.
"If a trustee is appointed to the party, we are a structure above the Istanbul Provincial Presidency, and we are on duty. We can remove them from duty," Ozel explained.
Ozel reiterated his pledge to resign if CHP doesn't become the leading party in the upcoming elections, stating: "If they hold it this November, then this November; if next April, then that day. If they do it on schedule, we'll win that day. The nation has made its decision."
The chairman also addressed concerns among mayors, stating, "I tell many of my mayors, 'If you have no fault, we're behind you,' but I won't stand behind those who have faults."
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