Criticism is mounting against Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Aydın Ünal over controversial remarks about the deadly bomb attack in Ankara on Saturday that targeted some opposition parties and critical media outlets.
“We are watching the CHP [Republican People's Party] and the HDP [Peoples' Democratic Party] administration, as well as the Doğan/Fethullah media which swarm on the blood spilt in Ankara. You will be drowned in that blood,” tweeted Ünal on Saturday.
The twin bomb explosions that hit a rally of pro-Kurdish and leftist activists outside Ankara's main train station on Saturday killed 95 people and wounded nearly 250, the Prime Ministry said, making the attack the deadliest single act of terrorism to occur on Turkish soil.
"Let's stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said, as he declared the official period of mourning at a press conference in Ankara on Saturday.
During a TV program aired on CNN Türk on Saturday night, presenter and Hürriyet daily columnist Ahmet Hakan Coşku recalled Davutoğlu's emphasis on solidarity against terrorism and harshly condemned Ünal's words.
“Look at this. Look at what the AK Party deputy does on the day of unity and solidarity,” lamented Coşkun.
Coşkun's call for CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to cover Ünal's statements during his meeting with Davutoğlu on Sunday got a swift response from the CHP leader, who texted Coşkun a message during the TV program, saying, “I will discuss this with Davutoğlu tomorrow.”
In remarks to CNN Türk on Sunday, CHP Vice Chairman Haluk Koç lambasted Ünal, saying that the deputy has exposed his psychological state.
Speaking to Today's Zaman, HDP deputy Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat called Ünal's words not worthy of a comment.
Fırat maintained that such reckless and controversial remarks were commonly made by AK Party deputies.
A top adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Yiğit Bulut, said in televised remarks on TRT Haber in May that he vowed to protect the president with his two guns and hundreds of bullets, saying no one can touch Erdoğan without killing his adviser first.
Former AK Party deputy Fevai Arslan, while praising Erdoğan -- who was, at the time, prime minister -- said that he had all the characteristics of God.
