ANKARA - Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy from Istanbul Zulfu Livaneli has stated that those who have destroyed Ataturk's party (CHP) will not be forgiven by the people and history.
Livaneli held a press conference at the Turkish parliament after his official resignation from CHP.
''CHP was one of Turkey's most strong and respected political institutions, one that was a legacy left by Ataturk and his fellow supporters,'' told Livaneli.
Livaneli accused the current CHP leadership of being inconsistent with CHP's historical role. Livaneli added that today's CHP does not represent the Turkish left or the opposition. ''CHP is far away from the realities of the people. CHP has brought Turkey to a point where it could no longer function as a secular, revolutionary and modern nation. We are in a terrible shape as a country,'' said Livaneli.
Livaneli further stated that he has tried everything possible to re-build the CHP. ''Unfortunately, our efforts were of no help.''
Livaneli indicated that he has high respect for the efforts made by respectable party members. ''At the same time, I feel that struggling for Turkey, in CHP's non-democratic and authoritarian system of politics, is literally impossible,'' commented Livaneli.
According to Livaneli, the most recent conventions of CHP, where gendarmarie and police forces heavily interfered, were watched by the Turkish people with great sorrow.
''Today, I have resigned from CHP because I find it useless to continue unnecessary and negative arguments in the party at a time when Turkey needs us the most,'' stressed Livaneli.
Livaneli concluded by saying that early elections may take place in late 2005.