It’s election time in Turkey again. It is also time to draw “harsh criticism” weapons and start using the “manly” jargon. Turkey’s MHP leader has decided he would call on Fethullah Gulen to cease his activities around the globe because it caused confusion in Turkey. Well, Mr. Bahceli it might perplex you more to learn that there are tons of civic initiative movements in Turkey and you had better tell them to stop too. Or, I am afraid you may not make it through the elections this year. For those who do not know, Mr. Bahceli is a cold calculating politician, who is famous for his mathematical skills.
The chairman of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, has become the focus of mounting criticism from many segments in society after he called on internationally renowned Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen to “suspend his activities” worldwide.
According to the MHP leader, recent operations carried out as part of the Ergenekon investigation have put the scholar under suspicion and that Gülen needs to “take action” to address the suspicions. He has suggested that Gülen suspend his activities worldwide.
Police searched the houses and offices of some suspects earlier this week as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal organization accused of planning to overthrow the government. They seized draft copies of a book authored by jailed journalist Ahmet Şık, “İmamın Ordusu” (The Imam’s Army), which reportedly talks about followers of the Gulen movement in the Turkish police force. Opponents of the Ergenekon investigation argue that police operations were launched because of criticism directed at the Gulen movement.
Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin said the MHP leader had done “an injustice to Gülen with his statement.” According to Şahin, Gülen should not be made a factor in internal Turkish politics. “What kind of a link can exist between a judicial decision and Gülen? None. The statement [by Bahçeli] is unjust and groundless,” he said. Şahin also defined Gülen as a man who is busy with scholarly pursuits, residing in the US.
Read more at Today's Zaman
