HUNDREDS of supporters of Turkey’s main opposition party defied a temporary ban on public gatherings, assembling at locations close to its provincial headquarters in Istanbul today to protest against the controversial appointment of an interim chairman to oversee its local branch.

This came amid an intensifying crackdown on the Republican People’s Party (CHP), including municipalities run by the party over alleged corruption, which has led to a series of arrests, including that of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. 

The deposed mayor is widely regarded as the leading challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-decade rule, and his arrest in March sparked the largest protests Turkey has seen in over a decade.

On Monday, some protesters tried to push past a heavy police blockade surrounding the CHP building, resulting in sporadic scuffles, according to media reports.

Last week, an Istanbul court suspended the CHP’s provincial leadership, citing alleged irregularities in the party’s 2023 congress.

The court also appointed Gursel Tekin, a former CHP lawmaker aligned with the party’s old guard, as interim chair. 

Critics have condemned the move as a politically motivated intervention aimed at weakening the party.

In response, CHP leadership called on supporters to gather at the party’s Istanbul headquarters ahead of Mr Tekin’s scheduled arrival today. 

The call prompted the governor’s office to announce a three-day ban on public gatherings late Sunday, as police erected barricades and restricted access.

Despite the restrictions, supporters began rallying outside the headquarters on Sunday night. Police used pepper spray to push back some demonstrators, including a number of CHP legislators, the opposition-aligned Halk TV television station reported.

Meanwhile, the internet watchdog NetBlocks said several social media platforms were restricted in Turkey following the CHP’s call for rallies.

Mr Tekin’s arrival at the CHP Istanbul provincial headquarters was met with protests from gathered supporters and party members angered that he accepted the position following the court ruling that the party had denounced as unjust.