Removed CHP Women's Branch Chair Asu Kaya Speaks Out Against 'Absolute Nullity' Ruling

Asu Kaya, who was removed from her position as the Chairperson of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Women's Branch following a court ruling that declared the party's decision 'absolutely null and void,' has issued a strong statement. Kaya condemned the action as a "coup" against the party's will, the electoral process, and women's right to vote and be elected. She accused those who facilitate the palace's interests under the AKP judiciary of orchestrating this move.

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A clear coup has been struck against our organizational will, the ballot box, and women's right to elect and be elected, by those who serve the palace under the AKP judiciary.

"The absolute nullity" designation by the court underscores the contentious nature of her removal, which Kaya frames as an attack on democratic principles within the party. She declared her unwavering stance against those she deems illegitimate, stating, "As the Chairperson of the Women's Branch, elected by the legitimate votes of our convention delegates, I stand tall against those who carried out this illegality."

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As the Chairperson of the Women's Branch, elected by the legitimate votes of our convention delegates, I stand tall against those who carried out this illegality.

Kaya directly addressed those she believes are driven by "small ambitions" and seek power through "the orders of a single man," warning them that they cannot suppress the women's organization of the CHP. She asserted that elected officials cannot be dismissed or ignored by appointed individuals, emphasizing that such actions are beyond their authority and rights. Referencing the party's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, she stated that his revolutionary spirit commands resistance, not obedience to top-down commands.

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You cannot liquidate the free choice of convention delegates with such cheap and anti-democratic coup attempts.

Aligning herself with CHP leader Özgür Özel, Kaya rejected any attempts by those whose "political lives have ended" to steer the women's organization. She vowed that the future of the party would not be surrendered to a "veto-holding, appointed mentality." Kaya expressed confidence in the party members, women, and the nation, predicting that "women's labor spread throughout Anatolia" and the "unwavering will of our organization" will prevail over "palace-manufactured conspiracies."

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Dismissing elected officials, ignoring them, is neither the right nor the duty of appointed individuals.