Interior minister to consider resigning following blast: CNNTürk

ANKARA

AA Photo

Turkish Interior Minister Selami Altınok will consider resigning once the political climate calms down, private broadcaster CNN Türk has reported.

According to an account by CNN Türk Ankara representative Hande Fırat, the interior minister could consider resigning from his post only after the necessary steps are taken after the deadly blast in Ankara that killed at least 97 people. 

“Since political discussions are ongoing, I will consider resigning once the proceedings related to the attack are finalized,” Altınok reportedly stated. 

The minister also said the ministry was drawing lessons from the bombings in Ankara and taking additional precautions.

Earlier on Oct. 10, on the day of the attack, Altınok had summarily denied any responsibility in the attack and said he was not considering resigning. 

In response, Republican People’s Party (CHP) head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu called for his resignation if he “respected the people who died and their families.”

Kılıçdaroğlu repeated his call on Oct.11 in a press conference in Ankara, following his meeting with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. 

“I told the prime minister that the interior minister must resign immediately. Who has political responsibility in this incident? If the minister does not resign, he must be discharged from his office,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.