ISTANBUL The main opposition Republican People’s Party ( CHP ) celebrated its 102nd anniversary on Sept. 9 with ceremonies, even as tensions escalated over a court-appointed interim chair for its Istanbul branch. CHP leader Özgür Özel laid a wreath at the Republic Monument in Istanbul’s Taksim Square alongside ousted provincial head Özgür Çelik and other officials. A heavy police presence surrounded the event. "If you get your authority from the [ruling Justice and Development Party] AKP