In the memo, which included 10 orders from the MHP leader, Bahçeli said he had received a warning that some circles would start preparations to provoke MHP supporters. He called on his supporters to refrain from any conflict, tension or quarrel. The MHP leader accused the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) of creating an atmosphere of anxiety in the country.
“The confrontational and discriminatory mindset of the AK Party government has boosted tension and anger in society and has led to an atmosphere that could result in big explosions due to a small spark. The rightful reactions of our public against celebrations held for the return of Kurdistan Workers’ Party [PKK] terrorists have opened society to provocations,” Bahçeli said in a written statement on Thursday.
The MHP leader was referring to celebrations held by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) upon the return of PKK members. Last Monday eight members of the PKK and 26 people from the Makhmur refugee camp, which is considered by Ankara to be a hotbed for the PKK, turned themselves in to Turkish security forces. After initial interrogations, they were released and received a festive welcome, leading to criticism from many segments of society, including the government and opposition parties.
In his memo, Bahçeli called on his supporters to avoid attending any non-MHP events or movements in which the MHP’s symbols are used, not to engage in any tension or clashes aimed at isolating the MHP, to attend only meetings held by the MHP itself, to refrain from using any symbol other than those allowed by the MHP, to act in common sense in case of provocation, to follow the actions of the MHP headquarters and to inform the party administration about any developments.
