Did a Senior CHP Member Secretly Visit Erdoğan at Presidential Complex?

Click to read the article in Turkish

A senior figure from the Republican People's Party (CHP) allegedly visited President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

Rahmi Turan, a columnist from the daily Sözcü, which is known for its opposition to the AKP, claimed in his article yesterday that the CHP member visited Erdoğan on November 9. He reiterated his claims in today's article.

Muharrem İnce, a presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, was the first CHP figure to react to the claims. "The Palace can't interfere with the CHP," he said in a tweet, adding that "That person who pursues the chairpersonship of the CHP at the Palace must show up. If he/she doesn't, Rahmi Turan must disclose that name."

CHP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özel also called on Turan to "make a statement" on the issue, saying that he "incriminates everyone who is active in politics at the CHP."

CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu also commented on the claims on Fox TV today (November 21), accusing the AKP of trying to divide the opposition alliance. He claimed that he assigned key state officials to "disperse" the CHP and cause infighting at the party.

"When I read that, I thought it might be true. I don't want to give a name," Kılıçdaroğlu further said. He also called on Erdoğan to make it public that whether he was visited by a CHP member or not.

After the comments from the opposition side, Presidency Communication Director Fahrettin Altun denied that such a visit happened and called the article "totally imaginary." (DB/VK)