During a heated exchange while debating Turkey's education bill on Thursday night, which if passed would see the closing of over three thousand private tutoring centers - also known as 'dershanes', one opposition deputy was taken to hospital.

Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Kulkuloğlu was taken to hospital by ambulance and will be kept under observation for a while. Blows were exchanged between ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Metin Külünk and Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies Erdal Aksünger and Şevki Kulkuloglu.

The debate on the bill will continue on Friday but the government is keen to see the bill passed before the parliament breaks for recess on Monday till after the local elections on March 30. The 'National Education Basic Law', known as the 'Dershane bill', was one of the most important topics of discussion on the national agenda before Dec. 17 launched by Gülen movement.

Debate on the bill quickly moved away from its contents to discuss the recent incidents regarding the "wiretapping scandal" and "anti-graft operation", CHP deputy Melda Onur accused the ruling party of corruption. Arguments ensued when AK Party deputy Selçuk Özdağ accused the opposition CHP's Izmir Mayor, Aziz Kocaoğlu of corruption and slating CHP's history in Turkey's political life. Retaliatory comments followed with CHP parliamentary group deputy chairman Akif Hamzaçebi. "You have been caught in the act (pointing out the antigraft operation)," said Hamzaçebi.

After these arguments, the atmosphere in the general assembly became tense and the AK Party deputy Süreyya Sadi Bilgiç advanced on CHP deputy Ali Rıza Öztürk resulting in the exchange of blows. After the debates Hamzaçebi, in a press conference, apologized from everybody for the inappropriate words and behaviors in the parliament.