Istanbul's CHP leadership has been assumed by Tekin, following his dismissal from the party.

In the heart of Turkey's political landscape, the Republican People's Party (CHP) has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding its Istanbul branch.

The turmoil began after the party's 38th ordinary convention, where Ozguur Ozel was elected as the new CHP leader, about a month after the contested Istanbul vote. Shortly after his election, Ozel found himself at odds with the previous leader, Gursel Tekin, over the latter's acceptance of a court appointment.

The dispute led to a series of events that culminated in Ozel announcing Tekin's expulsion on September 2. However, Tekin argued that he could not be expelled without being allowed a defense.

The controversy surrounding the CHP's Istanbul provincial congress, held on October 8, 2023, gained momentum when the chief public prosecutor's office in Istanbul alleged voting fraud during the event. The prosecutor's office opened its probe into the matter in March.

As a result, a court removed Ozguur Celik, the head of the CHP's Istanbul branch, and his administration due to the alleged voting fraud. Tekin, along with Zeki Sen, Hasan Babacan, Mujdat Gurbuz, Ekran Narsap, and others, were appointed to the temporary administration of the CHP's Istanbul branch.

Tekin assumed the court-appointed role as interim head of the CHP's Istanbul branch on September 3, a day after his expulsion from the party. Tekin, in an interview with the daily Sozcu, confirmed that he and his friends began their duties as the interim head of the CHP's Istanbul branch on the same day.

The accused persons in connection with the court case on suspicion of electoral fraud related to the Provincial Assembly of the Republican People's Party in Istanbul include several members and officials of the party, but specific names have not been publicly disclosed.

Amidst this turmoil, Ozel has been firm in his stance, threatening to sever ties with anyone who is part of a scheme set up by the palace. Tekin, on the other hand, has held several senior roles in the CHP, including secretary-general between 2014 and 2016, and was first appointed to the party's Istanbul leadership in 2007. Tekin was also elected to parliament in 2011, serving multiple terms, and briefly announced his resignation from the CHP in February 2024 before denying it.

The separate case concerning the CHP's Istanbul branch remains pending, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing political drama in Turkey.

Istanbul's CHP leadership has been assumed by Tekin, following his dismissal from the party.