Turkish nationalist party leader slams main opposition over Kurdish issue

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has harshly criticized main opposition Republican People’s Party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who accused the MHP of acting as a crutch to the ruling party, Hurriyet reports.

“Our party does not have anything to learn from a party that forgets its history of supporting the [ruling Justice and Development Party] AKP’s destructive policies or their mentorship of the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK’s traitorous plans. The new CHP has made its choice and stands shoulder to shoulder with the AKP, the BDP and the PKK,” Bahçeli said yesterday in a written statement.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu criticized the MHP on Aug. 14 for their refusal to attend an extraordinary session of Parliament to discuss the latest PKK attacks. 

“Mr. Bahçeli said that Turkish soil is under siege by the PKK. This view is very dangerous and scary. If we are in such danger, will you come up with a solution by lending your support to the AKP policies that brought Turkey to this point?” Kılıçdaroğlu said, speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting.