Deputy Bal says did not resign from AK Party on anyone’s orders


Date posted: January 31, 2014

İSTANBUL

Responding to speculations put forward by circles close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that independent Kütahya deputy İdris Bal resigned from the party on an order from Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, Bal has said he did not resign from the party on anyone’s orders, stating that if they could prove this, he is also ready to resign from his post as deputy.

Bal, who was referred to the party’s disciplinary board for expulsion because he opposed the government’s planned closure of prep schools, announced on Nov. 30, 2013, that he had resigned from his party. The circles close to the party speculated that Bal resigned after he was ordered to do so by Gülen.

Harshly rejecting such speculations during a press conference he held in Parliament on Friday, Bal said he resigned because he wanted to do so. “If you can prove this [that he resigned on the order of Gülen], I promise I will resign from my post as a deputy,” he said.

Commenting further on the speculations over his resignation, Bal said: “I have principles. I did not engage in politics to curry favor with anyone. I entered Parliament to be able to represent those who voted for me in the best way possible and to fulfill my duties to my nation, which I love.”

Stating that the AK Party changed its perspective and its style of politics in its third term, Bal said: “Look at the first and second terms of the AK Party and now look at the third term. Those who have fears are democrats. When the AK Party was established in 2002, it embraced everybody. It based its politics on peace. It also had fears. It feared the party would be closed down. The AK Party was afraid of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors [HSYK].” He added that as soon as the AK Party’s fears vanished, the party started to demolish what it had achieved during its first and second terms.

Pointing to the recent polarizing and harsh statements from politicians, Bal said politicians should respect political ethics, adding that politicians should avoid actions that may polarize people. “We as politicians should choose our words carefull

Source: Todays Zaman , January 31, 2014

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Newly-released journo offers insider view at victims of Turkey Purge

Briefly detained for taking photos of the street next to the Istanbul’s Gayrettepe Police Station, the journalist Tuğba Tekerek has talked about her detention period, shedding lights on what people, jailed as part of the government’s ever-increasing crackdown on the Gülen Movement, get through behind bars.

Please do not insult the intelligence of the people

The government’s defensive position could have been understandable had it not removed the police chiefs who did the investigation from their positions, almost as a punishment.

Group of activists walking across Europe raises 40,000 euros for Turkish refugees in Greece

A group of activists from the UK raised 40,000 euros for needy Turkish nationals who have landed in Greece as refugees in the face of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s post-coup witch-hunt.

‘Power struggle with Gulen movement weakens Erdogan’

The [Hizmet] movement was formed by Gulen’s sermons – he knew how to reinterpret Islam’s moral and ethical demands. It’s not just about continuing traditions, but about exploring nature, seeing God in the laws of nature and the laws of physics and about finding God again.

Prof. Nanda: Extraditing Fethullah Gulen to Turkey would erode the rule of law

Turkey’s strategic importance cannot be overestimated. However, Erdogan’s personal friendship with Trump alone cannot resolve the difficulties. Even if Trump may be willing to find a way to extradite Gulen or find another country to accept him in order to placate a NATO partner for geopolitical reasons, he must not. The damage to the rule of law would outweigh any benefit Trump hopes to gain from such an action.

Police, inspectors raid Gülen-inspired schools in Manisa for 3rd time

Police officers and inspectors from 15 government agencies have raided Gülen-inspired private schools in the western province of Manisa for the third time, as part of a government-orchestrated operation targeting the faith-based Gülen movement, popularly known as the Hizmet movement.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

I object to AK Party’s ‘New Turkey’ (2)

Police and inspectors raid Gülen-inspired kindergarten in Manisa

Gulen’s new book: “Muslims’ Responsibility in Countering Violence”

Turkish Schools will Build Bridges between Nigeria and the World

Educational unions lash out against gov’t-backed school raids

Turkish minister’s leaked email shows trustees to Gulen affliated organizations not appointed by courts

California Muslim Leaders Raised Their Voices, Condemning Extremism

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News