Türkeş defies MHP management, says won’t resign from party

ANKARA

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At the center of harsh criticisms from his Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for accepting a ministerial position in the interim government, Tuğrul Türkeş challenged his party management and underlined he won’t resign from the party. 

“I did not resign. I won’t. I will fulfill a constitutional duty. They can’t dismiss me,” Türkeş told daily Vatan on Aug 28. Türkeş said he was still in the ranks of the MHP and will make comprehensive statements to the media after the formation of the interim government. 

Türkeş, whose father, Alparslan Türkeş, was the founder of the MHP, broke the party line and accepted Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s offer to take part in the interim government that will take Turkey to polls on Nov. 1. He immediately became the subject of very harsh criticisms from his party fellows over the move, as MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli launched a process to expel him from the party. 

Türkeş is expected to become deputy prime minister in the interim government, which will likely be announced late Aug. 28.