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Deniz Baykal

After four decades of involvement in Turkish politics, Deniz Baykal’s career comes to an apparent end as he resigns amid an uproar of criticism for his alleged appearance with a female staffer on a clandestinely recorded video. The CHP leader says it’s a conspiracy and he is not done fighting the claims.

Breaking a three-day silence in the wake of a sex tape that has riveted the nation, Turkey’s main opposition leader Deniz Baykal exited the political stage Monday, announcing his resignation at an Ankara press conference.

After a meeting with his senior party members at the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, headquarters in Ankara, CHP leader Baykal announced his resignation in a dramatic speech, saying he is the victim of a conspiracy and blamed the government for the plot but did not give any names.

“Such private images cannot be taped and such a plot can’t be realized without the knowledge of the government,” Baykal said. “So-called well-intentioned statements from the government can’t conceal this crime. Those who criticize the plot are the real initiators,” Baykal said.

“This violates human rights that are respected by all political regimes and all religions. It was not organized for economic benefit, but for political reasons. The plot targets not an individual, but the CHP’s struggle for democracy,” Baykal said. “If necessary, I am ready to bear responsibility.”

Emphasis on Fethullah Gülen 

Referring to Fethullah Gülen, leader of a religious movement, Baykal also said he received messages of sorrow and support from Pennsylvania – where Gülen currently resides – and that he believed the sincerity of the messages sent from the United States.

Baykal’s remarks have been deemed a response to those who claimed that Gülen or some of his followers were behind the sex tape. 

Noting that it was not a coincidence that the tape was released amid debates over constitutional reform, the CHP leader also said he would never surrender to the organizers of the plot and that his resignation should not be considered a defeat.

“My resignation does not mean running away or giving in,” Baykal said. 

Meanwhile, daily Zaman columnist Hüseyin Gülerce told private news channel CNNTürk on Monday that Baykal and Gülen had held talks about the tape.

Baykal’s resignation spelled the end of a four-decade-long political career.

Meanwhile, in response to Baykal’s allegations against the government, Bekir Bozdağ of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, denied the claims, saying it was the AKP’s biggest wish for the plotters to be disclosed.

“While making politics, Baykal usually demonstrated an approach that polarized the political sides. Now, it seems he is following the same policy while resigning by accusing the AKP. His resignation is not a situation that we will be happy about,” Bozdağ said.

Reactions swift

Commenting on the dramatic resignation, CHP deputy Mustafa Özyürek said Baykal was being victimized in an ugly conspiracy.

“He talked to everyone, including the public, for four days. He resigned with the truth he expressed. This is a very hard situation for us. Baykal became one with the CHP. It is impossible to separate them from each other. But he said he made a decision on a personal matter, and that from now on the rest would belong to the CHP,” he said.

“We will have a general assembly. Our party will make the necessary evaluations. He will keep fighting in every situation. It is the fight for the survival of democracy, secularism and the principles of modern Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.”

Özyürek said the general assembly process would continue as scheduled. “We all wanted him to take the responsibility [of leading the CHP]. But he announced that he would not participate [in the assembly.] He said the CHP must determine its own path,” Özyürek said.

CHP deputy Mehmet Sevigen said, “Baykal did what suited him; but if called to duty, there is a chance that Baykal will return.”

Former CHP Deputy İnal Batu said: “He made the right choice. Even writers and commentators who support the CHP were saying he should resign.”

Touching on Baykal’s accusations, he said: “But he calls it a conspiracy, and at the same time denies it. It’s a hard situation to understand. He believes the government is behind the conspiracy, then he must have solid evidence.”

Journalist Saygı Öztürk of Hürriyet said: “We need Deniz Baykal. He could be a candidate again at the [CHP’s] general assembly.”

Bengi Yıldız of the Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, said a party leader involved in such a situation bears responsibility.

“He has shown the respect needed. As in all democratic countries, he has fulfilled his responsibility. We hope that this situation will lead to important advances and a new start in Turkish political history,” Yıldız said. “A party that claims to be a social democrat needs to promise the public an important future – the public must have hope.”

State Minister Zafer Çağlayan, meanwhile, said, “This is Baykal’s own decision, we must respect it.”

Prime minister speaks

Later Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave a statement to the press. “It was not our intention to intervene in such a personal issue, but after the importance given in the press and the ugly and irresponsible remarks made by the opposition party, we felt obliged to intervene. The AKP will not take responsibility for issues that do not pertain to it. We took all the necessary precautions immediately and the opposition must try not to blame us for things it is responsible for,” Erdoğan said. “I wish he [Baykal] could deny these occurances, but in the impossibility to do so, he should not throw his fault onto others.”