Baykal criticizes some CHP deputies for being pro-HDP

The Republican People's Party (CHP) Antalya deputy Deniz Baykal, a former party chairman, has heavily criticized some deputies and members of his party for being in close collaboration with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

In tweets shared on his official account yesterday, Baykal dismissed intra-party criticism that suggests he stands in a sectarian position, sharing some photos of several CHP deputies in order to shift the blame on them.

The published photos include images of the party's Istanbul deputies, Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Mahmut Tanal, at the funeral of a PKK terrorist. In another photo, Tanrıkulu is seen with HDP Mersin Deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü on a plane.

Baykal also criticized former CHP Vice Chairman Murat Özçelik for claims that he and his family voted for the HDP to pass the electoral threshold in the June 7 elections, saying that he was not given a place on the CHP candidate list for the Nov. 1 elections. Özçelik was also attacked by a fellow party member at a Party Assembly meeting in August for his pro-HDP statement.

Referring to requests that he be expelled from the party,, Baykal said that such "unlawful" efforts will fizzle out and justice will be served.

Appearing on CNN Türk late Monday, he expressed support for the Turkish military shelling of positions held by the Syrian PKK-affiliate Democratic Union Party's (PYD) People's Protection Units (YPG) around the city of Azaz in northern Syria.

Saying that the shelling has proven effective, he claimed that there is evidence of a massacre underway in Aleppo. He said: "Turkey aims to keep the Azaz-Aleppo route accessible with efforts to prevent the major assault, massacre and influx of new refugees by shelling the YPG. Turkey has the right to interfere and, so far, the strikes have proven effective."

He also strongly criticized current chairman of the CHP, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, for what he calls "poor management" and a "lack of initiative." He said there is an administrative issue within the CHP and that the party has crossed the line with the HDP.