Bahçeli's 'I will go to İmralı' remark stirs Ankara: Why is the AKP so silent?

Speaking at his party’s group meeting, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made a striking statement regarding the ongoing debate over a potential visit to İmralı. Bahçeli’s words, “If necessary, I will take 3 of my friends with me and I will go,” have caused a wide stir in political circles.

In the new process defined by the government as a “Terror-Free Turkey,” Bahçeli’s move was interpreted as a reaction to the commission’s reservations about visiting İmralı. Furthermore, assessments were made that the statement was directed at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s continued silence on the matter and at factions within the AKP that oppose going to İmralı.

DIFFERENT VIEWS EMERGE WITHIN THE AKP

Following Bahçeli’s words, various assessments surfaced in AKP corridors. Some AKP officials stated that the announcement was important for grasping the seriousness of the issue. These figures indicated that, despite some question marks, they view a visit to İmralı positively.

An AKP official stated, “We view it positively; we think it will contribute. Everyone has been listened to. Just as in previous hearings, there is no negative situation in this one.”

Another AKP official, who assessed that “a decision for the commission to go to İmralı will be made,” said regarding the timeline, “It will be visited at the most beneficial time.” The same official expressed that a visit in early December, following the CHP convention, is highly likely.

According to information reported by T24, discussions are also taking place within the AKP regarding which names from the commission should be sent to İmralı. It is being discussed in the corridors that individuals who work on the Kurdish issue and have experience in this area might come to the fore.

A different view within the AKP is that an İmralı visit would harm the party. Those who advocate this approach point to public opinion polls showing that the AKP base and broad segments of society are against going to İmralı. According to these figures, “going to İmralı is considered political suicide.”

Despite this, some officials still express that the probability of a visit is high in terms of advancing the process.

On the opposition front, the picture appears less clear. It is stated that there is a strong tendency within the CHP leadership against going to İmralı. It is expressed that potential reactions from the base and public opinion polls are influential in this stance.

Some CHP figures emphasize that it is unlikely for Özgür Özel to make a decision to go, despite the opposing views of his staff.