MHP leader unleashes fury at party dissidents

Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has slammed opponents within his party for criticizing his support for constitutional amendments that will be subjected to a referendum in April. 

"Insolvent circles wonder what the MHP will say in the referendum … All criticism that is not democratic, well-thought and sincere is null in our eyes," Bahçeli said on Twitter on Feb. 14. 

His comments came after suspended members of the party mounted their opposition to the constitutional changes, which promise to usher in a presidential system with vastly enhanced powers for the head of state, announcing their plan to campaign against the charter. 

"It is surprising that those who should be filled with despair and guilt have decided to make a 'no' tour in Anatolia. They are attempting to become popular with this fake agenda and trying to lead with their rotten minds. Our duty is to let them go," Bahçeli added.

The leading figure among the dissidents, Meral Akşener, who previously stood against Bahçeli as a candidate for party leadership, replied to Bahçeli's tweet, saying, "Have some decency!"

Battle analogy for referendum

Bahçeli is supporting the constitutional amendment, urging voters that the "system change is a matter of re-establishing social balance."

"When the imbalance reaches momentum, only power will be able to beat it. Power is the nation. That is why we are saying 'yes,'" he said, referring to the referendum as one of the most important battles for Turkey, likening it to the War of Independence. 

"In order to save ourselves from social and political catastrophes and plan the future, we need to start a new resurrection episode with a system change,"...