We will not fall into ‘provocation’ trap: CHP head Kılıçdaroğlu

ANKARA

DHA photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will not allow “provocations” to derail its “justice march” from Ankara to Istanbul, CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said on June 21 on the seventh day of the march.

“We have completed 100 kilometers so far. Were there any windows broken or was traffic hindered? No,” Kılıçdaroğlu told private broadcaster Fox TV on June 21.

“There will be some attempts at provocation. We are taking utmost care on this subject to avoid falling into those traps” he added, chairing the Central Executive Board meeting of his party on the Ankara-Bolu provincial border.

Kılıçdaroğlu said vehicles passing by the walking crowd have often supported the march by sounding their horns 

“Our nationalist friends who express their sympathies are also there while we are passing by. AKP members who are respected citizens for us are also there and they also applaud us because we want justice. We do not upset anyone and we do not insult or attack anyone,” he added.

The CHP head said they welcomed all who wanted to join the march.

“One million people may walk. Even 50 million people may walk. What can be more natural than demanding justice? Everyone can walk,” he said.

The “justice march” was prompted by the jailing of CHP deputy Enis Berberoğlu on June 14.

Kılıçdaroğlu’s comments came after CHP Antalya lawmaker and former CHP leader Deniz Baykal said there are millions of people who support the motivation behind the march and called out ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to hear out their criticism on June 20.

“I advise the government to avoid pressures that would oblige [millions more] people to march too,” Baykal said.

Reminded of Baykal’s words and the concerns over the possibilities of altercations and security issues along the way, Kılıçdaroğlu simply voiced their “determination” and stressed the importance of “public support.”

“We all welcome whoever supports justice, rights and law, to this march. I have not directly invited anyone or told them to come, but there are thousands of people who have come here to support this march so far,” he said.