Gov’t ally Bahçeli targets CHP leader Özel, deems his remarks regarding Kurds 'criminal offense'

Turkish ultra-nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli has once again targeted main opposition CHP leader Özgür Özel, this time for his remarks referring to the Kurdish issue in Turkey. Bahçeli said Özel’s “Everyone is equal in Turkey, but Kurds are less equal” remark was a “criminal offense.”

Tuesday November 28 2023 11:53 pm

Duvar English

Turkish government ally and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on Nov. 28 once again targeted the opposition parties.

Speaking at the parliamentary group meeting of his party, Bahçeli deemed the remarks of main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel an “attack on the unity and integrity of the state, a criminal offense.”

“The statement of the CHP leader, ‘Everyone is equal in Turkey, but Kurds are less equal’ is an exact reflection of the separatist and terrorist rhetoric. To say that our brothers and sisters of Kurdish origin are less equal is a blatant attempt to kill and insult the truth. This degenerate claim is a total disgrace. This miserable claim is a blatant attack on the indivisible integrity of the state and is a criminal offense,” Bahçeli said.

During an interview with Gazete Duvar, Özel last week said “Nationalist voters will not forget the cancellation of their congresses (in the MHP) due to judicial manipulation and (Erdoğan’s) palace intervention. Kurdish voters do not forget ‘Everyone is equal in Turkey, but Kurds are less equal’ and appointment of trustee mayors to replace HDP mayors.”

“Which of my brothers of Kurdish origin has ever been deprived of any opportunity? Is it possible to ignore the Republic's equal opportunities? Isn't every door open to citizens? Haven't my brothers of Kurdish origin become district governors, governors, ministers, heads of parliament and even presidents? Moreover, haven't they appeared in front of the public as the chair of the CHP?,” Bahçeli argued while ignoring the Kurdish issue.

Furthermore, he claimed treating a person as a second class citizen because of their ethnic origin “is a state of degradation that has never been seen in any period of our history.”

“My advice to the CHP Chair is to either welcome the HEDEP or join the HEDEP. The HEDEP means the CHP. As long as the CHP Chair listens to Qandil (the PKK management), he will not be able to avoid disappointment,” Bahçeli concluded, targeting both parties.