‘Grey wolves’ will monitor Erdoğan for any wrongdoing: MHP head

Umut Erdem ANTALYA

AA photo

Describing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as the “reasonable suspect” in the corruption case that was recently dropped, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said his “grey wolves” would be closely tracking Erdoğan for any further wrongdoing.   

Speaking to reporters in the Central Anatolian province of Afyonkarahisar, Bahçeli repeated his criticism of Erdoğan’s mass rallies, saying they were not suitable for a president who should keep a distance from all political parties.

“The grey wolves will be pursuing him. He would be committing a constitutional crime if he opts for that road [of public rallies for ruling Justice and Development Party - AKP]. He has to let go of his old habits. He has to be either the president or go back to his party and be the prime minister,” he said.

“Erdoğan is the biggest problem in Turkey’s political life. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has become the ‘new tutelage of New Turkey.’ But we will track the content of his outdoor rallies and whether or not they exceed his constitutional duties. The grey wolves will be right behind him monitoring. Wherever he holds a rally, we will also hold one there,” Bahçeli added.

Criticism of 'wise people'

The MHP head also slammed the “wise people commission” that was recently rebooted by the government to give fresh impetus to the stalled Kurdish peace process. “There are no results in this initiative. On the contrary, violence has intensified. The ‘wise people’ are being used as a tool. It is a heavy blow for those people who for years have been known to the public as intellectuals,” he said.

Bahçeli also took the opportunity to touch on the possible move forward of the upcoming parliamentary elections to April 2015, claiming that his party “has no fear” but suggesting that if the vote is postponed to a later date it would mean there is a danger of going into war.

Meanwhile, Bahçeli revealed that he was planning to visit Anıtkabir, the mausoleum in Ankara of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on Oct. 29, and will skip the traditional annual Republic Day presidential reception.

“The reception is an insult to the republic. In particular, leaving the Çankaya Presidential Mansion for the use of the Prime Ministry is a separate sorrow. Çankaya has a special place in the history of the republic. It is identical with the republic, it is a symbol. Çankaya should not be used for any other purpose,” he said, adding that it is unnecessary to carry out a “competition between buildings.”