Silent protest from MHP: Tension in the alliance is growing!

The coldness between the alliance partners became visible during the special October 29 program held yesterday at the Presidential Complex. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) did not send any representatives to the reception. Journalist İsmail Saymaz stated that this decision is a clear indicator of the tension between the AKP and the MHP.

Reminding that the MHP sent a delegation to the ceremony at Anıtkabir instead of Devlet Bahçeli, Saymaz shared the following information:

“Bahçeli was not at the ceremony at Anıtkabir. The MHP was represented by Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Celal Adan and Group Deputy Chairman Erkan Akçay. However, no MHP figures attended the reception held in the evening.”

Stating that MHP Deputy Chairman İsmail Özdemir confirmed this information to him, Saymaz said, “The delegation determined by Bahçeli went to Anıtkabir in the morning, but there was no participation in the evening reception.”

TRNC ELECTION WAS THE START OF THE TENSION

According to Saymaz, the disagreement between the two parties began with the elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In a statement made after the elections, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli had said, “The results do not reflect the will of the Cypriot people. The Cyprus Parliament should convene immediately and make a decision to join Turkey.”

However, the statement by President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that “We respect the will of Cyprus” and the support given to TRNC President Tufan Erhürman were interpreted by the MHP wing as a “message to Bahçeli.”

Saymaz said, “The fact that AKP officials made consecutive statements regarding Cyprus was interpreted within the MHP as a response directed at Bahçeli.”

DISAGREEMENT OVER THE 'TERROR-FREE TURKEY' PROCESS

The tension between the two parties was not limited to the Cyprus issue. Saymaz stated that there are also different approaches regarding the “Terror-Free Turkey” process.

Reminding that Bahçeli had clearly stated that a member of parliament should go to İmralı to the Terror Commission established in Parliament, Saymaz said that the AKP was “acting more cautiously” on this issue and was dragging its feet on the process.

According to Saymaz, another point of tension between the alliance partners was the investigations targeting the CHP.

It was stated that the MHP supports the investigations into the CHP regarding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) leg, but opposes the expansion of these operations nationwide. It was reported that the MHP has adopted a stance of “not deepening political polarization” on this issue.

Saymaz also recalled that Bahçeli had called for the release of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, but this request did not find a response.

KENAN TEKDAĞ AND MEDIA OPERATIONS

It was stated that another topic of tension between the two parties is the operations targeting the media sector.

Saymaz stated that after Can-Ciner Holding Media Group President Kenan Tekdağ was detained, Bahçeli made a get-well-soon phone call, but Tekdağ's subsequent re-arrest caused discomfort within the MHP front.

It was stated that allegations that Tekdağ is being held in difficult conditions in prison were also met with reaction within the party. Saymaz said, “Kenan Tekdağ is currently under arrest. It is claimed that he is sleeping on cardboard in prison. If this claim is true, this is a practice that violates human rights.”

Another dimension of the tension was police appointments. According to what Saymaz conveyed, the dismissal of some police chiefs close to the MHP caused reactions within the party.

Following the dismissal of former Special Operations Department Head Süleyman Karadeniz, the words of MHP Deputy Chairman İsmail Özdemir regarding the Ministry of Interior drew attention. Özdemir used the expression, “The issue is not to announce statistics, but to stand by the heroes.”

Following these developments, it was claimed that the decree on governors was also postponed.

“SILENT PROTEST” MESSAGE

Saymaz stated that the MHP's decision not to attend the reception was a “silent protest.” It was stated that although Bahçeli did not make a direct statement, this decision carries a political message.

Saymaz said, “The disagreement that started in Cyprus continues to grow. As of yesterday, the MHP carried out a silent protest. If this message is not taken into account by its addressees, the crisis could spill over into other areas.”