Anxiety over Bahçeli in AKP corridors: 'We can't hold him back...'

Kısa Dalga columnist Sedat Bozkurt wrote that MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's insistence on an Imralı visit has caused discomfort within the AKP. According to Bozkurt's claim, the AKP wing that opposes Bahçeli's initiatives has assessed the situation by saying, "We cannot hold Bahçeli back."

Following MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's statement that "a delegation from the commission should be sent to Imralı, and Öcalan should call on the SDF," the process for a delegation from the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to visit Imralı has gained momentum, while striking behind-the-scenes information has come to the fore.

In his article titled "Bahçeli 'cannot be held back'," Sedat Bozkurt stated that the AKP did not look favorably upon the MHP leader's proposal to meet with Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, but that Bahçeli did not take a step back despite these objections.

OBJECTIONS FROM THE AKP AND THE TBMM

According to Bozkurt, Bahçeli informed the AKP in advance that a meeting with Öcalan should take place, but the proposal was not accepted. It was stated that both the TBMM and the AKP wing opposed this idea, thinking that a meeting between a parliamentary delegation and a convict would cause serious controversy, and that they had advised Bahçeli not to make this statement.

BAHÇELI DID NOT TAKE A STEP BACK

Despite all objections, Bahçeli made his statement at the group meeting. It was reported that after this move, which was also welcomed by the DEM Party, Bahçeli insisted that an MHP member must be included in the delegation to be formed.

TENSION IN THE AKP, CAUTIOUS STANCE FROM ERDOĞAN

This attitude of Bahçeli has caused discomfort within the AKP. While it is stated that Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş is slowing down the process by spreading the discussion of the issue over time, it is thought that Bahçeli's demand will eventually be met.

It was assessed that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has remained "quite distant" on this issue during the process, which began with Bahçeli's statements about a year ago and progressed with the establishment of the commission. According to Bozkurt, this situation is viewed as "cautious optimism" within the AKP.

In party circles, it was claimed that despite Erdoğan's distant stance, Bahçeli's moves are considered "quite bold" and the phrase "we cannot hold Bahçeli back" is frequently voiced.