Vehbi Koç resigns from CHP
Apart from his persona as a businessman, prominent Turkish industrialist Vehbi Koç was also known for his interest in politics. His involvement in politics began when he became a member of Müdafa-i Hukuk-u Milliye Cemiyeti (The Society for the Defense of National Rights) in Ankara when he was merely 19 years old. The connection continued after the Society was transformed into CHP (The Republican People’s Party). Koç served as member of the Municipal Council and The Party’s Administrative Board of the City. Although he was proposed to run for Senate as a deputy from Ankara in 1943, Koç declined the offer citing his workload. However, he continued to support İnönü in various matters of commerce and business.
Once the Democrat Party came into power in 1950; however, he was ostracized for being a member of CHP and was suspended from his position as the Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Commerce; in fact, his accounts were audited during that period. According to his memoires, he was not only facing challenges in his endeavors, but he was also pressured to resign from CHP and join the ranks of DP. Although he refused the latter, he tendered his letter of resignation to the CHP administration on March 10, 1960.
Upon receiving new of Vehbi Koç’s resignation, İnönü calmly listened to his rationalization and said the following:
Koç was a friend we were proud of. I am saddened to hear that he could not resist the pressure any longer. It is not possible to predict how things will proceed at this stage. It may perhaps be possible to explain and defense the present state of affairs to a certain extent. A further step will spiritually destroy him. It is a pity…
