Ten things about the Tuğrul Türkeş incident

One: Let’s confess it, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) scored tremendously against Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), when Tuğrul Türkeş, who is the son of the party’s founding leader, accepted the ministerial post offered to him, defying his party’s official stance. This cannot be easily digested. Bahçeli received a serious kick.

Two: The fact Türkeş, who is among the core cadre, a deputy leader and someone who carries the name of a legend as far as the MHP is concerned, can burn bridges shows us all the MHP is not a solid party holding together as tightly as it looks from the outside.

Third: While everybody was expecting an act from Deniz Baykal from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the action came from Türkeş. Let’s now all apologize to Baykal... all together.

Four: It was rumored that right after the June 7 election a member of the MHP had secretly visited the (presidential) palace. Bahçeli had said, “I am looking for that MHP member; I will throw him away from the party if I find him.” Was that member of the MHP Türkeş?

Five: Perhaps Bahçeli found out about the fact that it was Türkeş who secretly met with the palace and had discarded him anyway? Did Türkeş say, “Before Bahçeli kicks me out, let me do something?” Is that the issue?

Six: It is said Türkeş explained his decision by saying, “I have taken this step so that the state is not left on its own.” If he does not become a member of the AKP and stays as a minister, this claim can become valid. Otherwise? That will be problematic.

Seven: The name that has inflicted the most damage to all the tactics and strategies put forward by Bahçeli after the June 7 election was Tuğrul Türkeş. I believe Bahçeli must be throwing tea glasses at a picture of Türkeş that he hung on his wall.

Eight: On the one side, Türkeş, who immediately said yes to the offer; on the other side, Kenan Tanrıkulu, who could not even tolerate that this type of offer was made to him and resigned from his position as deputy leader. The MHP is really an interesting party for having two different types in the upper echelon of the party administration at the same time.

Nine: Bahçeli’s strategy was based on saying, “The AKP formed a coalition with the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK.” Yet the government will be a coalition of the AKP, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Türkeş. Let’s see what kind of sentence Bahçeli will find to define this situation?

Ten: As far as the AKP is concerned, convincing Türkeş was a very important success. But I want to draw your attention to a point: No one is congratulating Davutoğlu for this success and praising him, saying, “He has struck a very important move.” Instead everyone is complimenting the “palace.” Isn’t this interesting?