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HDP co-chair disputes former leader’s ‘vacation mode’ charge

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Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair and member of parliament Sezai Temelli on Tuesday responded to criticism directed by the party’s former co-chair, jailed politician Selahattin Demirtaş, stating that they disagree with the critique and the method of delivering it, the Fersude news website reported.

Speaking on a Tuesday night TV program, Temelli said: “If Selahattin Demirtaş expresses criticism, that is valuable. However, the method used here is wrong. Such letters should first be evaluated by our boards and assessed as to whether or not they should be made public,” referring to the former co-chair’s letter published by the Fırat news agency (ANF) on Aug. 10 in which he criticized the HDP for being stuck in “vacation mode” following the elections of June 24. Temelli denied the accusation and said the party’s activities are continuing as usual, the report said.

Temelli also pointed out that Demirtaş was held in high esteem by the party, reminding that he was nominated as their candidate in two consecutive presidential elections, in 2014 and 2018. He added that he would like to see Demirtaş again as their candidate in any future presidential election.

In his letter Demirtaş had urged the HDP to re-establish ties with its grass roots and to hold meetings, marches, forums and other democratic gatherings to raise awareness among the public. “There is an atmosphere of ‘the elections were the last and only opportunity, and since they’re lost there’s nothing left to do’ against fascism, which is simply apolitical. It is leaving the public to the mercy of fascism,” Demirtaş had said.

Several HDP lawmakers also joined the debate via Twitter revealing their discomfort with Demirtaş’s criticism.

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