Turkey: Opposition MHP moves to expel 3 deputies

By Yesim Sert Karaaslan

ANKARA (AA) – Three deputies of Turkey’s opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) face possible expulsion over violating the party rules, the MHP said Monday.

Kayseri lawmaker Yusuf Halacoglu, Balikesir lawmaker Ismail Ok, and Isparta lawmaker Nuri Okutan and party member Sinan Ogan have been referred to the party's disciplinary committee for discharge proceedings, according to a statement issued by the committee’s head, Halil Ozturk.

The four names are accused of breaking certain provisions of the party's constitution, including those regarding membership duties and responsibilities.

The revolt among MHP members was sparked by the November 2015 general election, where the MHP narrowly got into parliament and won the least number of seats among all parliament’s parties, just 40 out of 550. The party has dismissed former parliamentarian and chairman candidate Meral Aksener and one lawmaker.

Some party members have been fighting to remove Chairman Devlet Bahceli, who has led the MHP for nearly 30 years. The dissidents tried to call a party congress last year, but they were blocked by the leadership.