Despite the triumph by dissidents on Sunday at an emergency convention in changing a party bylaw to allow the election of a new chairman, chaos in the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) continues, as party dissidents criticize each other. Sinan Oğan and Koray Aydın have complained that Meral Akşener tried to change some of the bylaws without their knowledge. "Call it the disintegration [of the dissidents] or some other thing you like, but if the bylaws are to be changed here, all of the changes should be brought and negotiated together," Oğan said, adding that he did not know of any of the changes made to the bylaws. Aydın also said he did not see any of the changes. "We thought only an article would be changed.
"Meral Akşener's team is at it again. We could have contributed with our experience," Aydın contended.With 752 out of 1,186 delegates in attendance, according to figures provided by the trustee committee, the dissidents at Sunday's convention succeeded with overwhelming support in changing the party regulations.
We did not know of any the changes made to the bylaws. If the bylaws are to be changed here all of the changes should be brought and negotiated together. - Sinan Oğan
We thought only an article would be changed. Meral Akşener's team is at it again. - Koray Aydın
Scores of delegates openly protested the nomination of two people, shouting: "We want only one nominee." A fight broke out behind the stage because Akşener could not agree with the other dissidents on nominating just one nominee.
Following an hour-long debate, Dervişoğlu was selected as the council chairman in a show of Akşener's dominance, which was clear yesterday. Scores of delegates cheered for Akşener multiple times, chanting "Prime Minister Akşener."
Despite the success by dissidents in changing the MHP regulations, Bahçeli has another plan. Even though hundreds of delegates attended the emergency convention and changed the bylaws, the party administration will take the issue to court. According to sources in the party, Bahçeli will wait for a temporary injunction on the convention.
Bahçeli previously fought a legal war against MHP dissidents, attempting to prevent them from holding an emergency convention.
Having declared July 10 as the "real emergency convention for the MHP," Bahçeli will seek to remain in his post as chairman.