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Bahçeli responds to Erdoğan's 'my final election' remarks: 'You cannot quit!'

The MHP's 14th Ordinary Congress has begun. Devlet Bahçeli, the sole candidate at the congress, arrived at the hall with his arm in a sling. Bahçeli also responded to President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's 'my final election' remarks.

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The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 14th Ordinary Congress has begun at the Ankara Sports Hall.

Bahçeli, who was elected MHP Chairman at the 5th Extraordinary Congress held on July 6, 1997, following the death of Alparslan Türkeş—who led the party for nearly 30 years—has held this position for 27 years.

With today's congress, Bahçeli will be elected chairman for the 11th time.

ARRIVED AT THE HALL WITH HIS ARM IN A SLING

Bahçeli arrived at the hall where the congress is being held with his arm in a sling. It was learned that the MHP leader suffered an injury to his arm due to a shoulder sprain.

MHP Kahramanmaraş Deputy Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuhal Karakoç Dora made the following statement on X:

"The Nationalist Movement Party is, thank God, ready for its 14th Ordinary Grand Congress. Before the congress, our Chairman Mr. Devlet Bahçeli suffered an injury to his arm due to a shoulder sprain following an awkward movement. We wish him a speedy recovery and accept this as a minor misfortune. May God protect him."

 

"SINCE SOME SLAMMED THE DOOR AND LEFT..."

Highlights from the MHP leader's speech:

"I am proud of you, who are the embodiment of the Turkish nation's morality and strength of heart. You are present in this hall representing all 81 provinces of our Turkey. From east to west, from south to north, our Turkey is here with all its beauty and all its colors, thank God. In a life journey where every moment is recorded in the annals of our past, a tree that does not worry about budding has no option but to be firewood. When the nationalist movement set out 55 years ago, it absolutely had a concern for budding. Our budding leaves sometimes turned yellow and fell. The wind determined the fate of these leaves. Since some slammed the door and left, they had no face to return. Some were condemned to desolation. At times, we were exposed to the blows of axes whose handles were separated from our bodies. However, at this stage we have reached, we have succeeded in taking root in the conscience of the Turkish nation, just like a plane tree."

ERDOĞAN SENT A MESSAGE TO THE MHP CONGRESS

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a written message to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 14th Ordinary Grand Congress.

In his message, which was read by MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın at the congress held at the Ankara Arena Indoor Sports Hall, Erdoğan stated the following:

"I wish the Nationalist Movement Party's 14th Ordinary Grand Congress to be auspicious for our party community, our country, and our nation. Since the night of the July 15 coup attempt, we have been walking the path with the MHP under the roof of the People's Alliance for the survival of our state, the peace of our nation, and the security of our country. In every struggle we have entered as the People's Alliance, we have once again seen the breadth and depth of the common ground we possess. We are honored by this sacred, principled, and long-term companionship. We have jointly implemented the 2023 goals, which we know were first seeded by Devlet Bahçeli, and which represent the greatest democracy and development breakthrough of the first century of our Republic. Now, we are conducting a difficult struggle together, both at home and abroad, for the construction of the Century of Turkey. I believe that with the permission of God, the support of our nation, and the contributions of the idealist giants who created and sustained the MHP, we will plant the flag of the Century of Turkey at the pinnacle of the world. With these feelings, I once again wish the MHP 14th Ordinary Grand Congress to be auspicious. I congratulate all my MHP brothers and sisters on their blessed Ramadan, and I greet each of you with love and respect."

RESPONSE TO ERDOĞAN'S 'MY FINAL ELECTION' REMARKS

Erdoğan had met with representatives of the Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA) on March 8 and said:

"For me, this is a finale; with the authority granted by the law, this election is my final election. The result that emerges will be the transfer of a trust to the brothers who will come after me."

Responding to Erdoğan's words at the Congress, Bahçeli said:

"As I learned from the press recently, a speech by our President has been received with great appetite, especially in left-wing circles. I want to address our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from here; you cannot leave, you cannot leave the Turkish nation alone. We are with you as the People's Alliance. We want to see you as the savior leader of the new century."