Kılıçdaroğlu’s change of attitude came as a result of mounting criticism and backlash, mainly from Alevi circles in society. However, Öymen, who related the violent way the Dersim Rebellion was suppressed, did not back down. Kılıçdaroğlu’s change of attitude is mostly seen as a politically motivated move to win back the hearts of Alevis and eliminate his rivals within the CHP.Bugün’s Erhan Başyurt finds it very strange that Kılıçdaroğlu, who is of Alevi origin, first applauded Öymen’s remarks and then called for his resignation. Recalling a similar attitude he displayed in the corruption case of CHP member Mehmet Sevigen earlier this year, Başyurt says Kılıçdaroğlu seems to try to eliminate his rivals in the CHP ranks with such moves. Considering the fact that Öymen has resisted resigning, Başyurt has called on Kılıçdaroğlu to hand in his own resignation as a matter of political honor if he is really sincere in his reaction to Öymen. “Esteemed Kılıçdaroğlu, it is now time to take direct action in an honest and courageous way,” suggests Başyurt.
Star’s Eser Karakaş believes the change in Kılıçdaroğlu’s attitude regarding Öymen’s statements arose from concerns for his personal career and not from a principled attitude as Kılıçdaroğlu is a man from the Dersim region. Expressing his disappointment over Kılıçdaroğlu’s motivation in calling for Öymen to resign, Karakaş says the message Kılıçdaroğlu gave to society was that he would like to be a man of principle but it seems that this is not an easy thing to achieve.
“Who does Kılıçdaroğlu try to deceive? You watch Öymen’s reckless speech with great tolerance in Parliament, you applaud him enthusiastically at the end of his speech and then you call on this guy to resign for making those statements. If Öymen’s speech was one that means he should resign, why did you applaud him?” asks Star’s Ahmet Kekeç of Kılıçdaroğlu. He says that if Kılıçdaroğlu is sincere in his reaction, he should open up the state’s suppression of the Dersim Rebellion to discussion and then criticize Öymen. “Instead of acting like a hero over Öymen’s remarks, he should first gain the right to criticize,” says Kekeç.
