Tension erupts in CHP ranks

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Meanwhile, an important party figure, deputy secretary-general of the CHP Mehmet Sevigen came under fire for allegations of corruption over land speculation in Istanbul ahead of local elections.

The news that Tekin, who is a fundamental figure in CHP’s Istanbul team for local elections alongside mayoral candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, resigned went off like a bomb and the CHP was quick to deny it. Tekin, also a candidate for the head of Istanbul municipal assembly, had a dispute with the party over candidates of the municipal assembly.

Later in the afternoon Tekin and Kılıçdaroğlu gave a press conference where Tekin said, "Ignoring the organization as a result of oppression from some friends drove me crazy É As the provincial head of the CHP, I first take seriously my organization. No one can ignore my organization. I am no one without my organization." He also said those kinds of problems occur in every party but they were still a team working for Istanbul despite all problems. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General Sevigen yesterday denied allegations that he requested bribes from party candidates to help them run in the coming local elections. Sevigen told reporters the allegations were based on a voice recording and that he would quit the party if the claims were found to be true. "I opened a case at a prosecutor’s office about the claims, which are based on a voice recording. But there is no cassette around," he said, slamming the claims as a smear campaign against him.

A claim published in daily Vatan said a CHP member accused Sevigen of pursuing personal interests. CHP’s Emin Atmaca, who wants to run for mayor in Eyüp municipality in the March elections, said, "Sevigen requested $600,000 from my candidacy."

In response to another claim published in daily Vatan, Sevigen said he was not involved in a "land alliance."

"My involvement was limited to help the two people meet each other É I would resign if I received 1 lira," he said. Asked if he was considering resignation, Sevigen said: "Why should I resign? I came to power with the nation’s will. If one of the claims is proved, I will quit my 20-year-old political career."