Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political ally, reiterated his commitment to what is being described as a new Kurdish opening aimed at ending the 40-year armed insurgency by the outlawed Kurdistan Worker Party (PKK) against the Turkish state. “We stand behind everything we say and do. … We are embracing our Kurdish brethren,” Bahceli said in his weekly address to MHP lawmakers Tuesday.

Bahceli was alluding to the bombshell call he made on Oct. 22 for imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to come to the parliament and order his men to unconditionally end their armed campaign. Ocalan might even benefit from an amnesty, Bahceli hinted, confirming earlier reports that a fresh initiative by Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to strike some kind of deal with the Kurds was underway. 

But a flurry of seemingly contradictory moves by the authorities, including the ousting of four democratically elected Kurdish mayors because of alleged terror links, has raised questions about the government’s true intent and more intriguingly about the state of relations between Bahceli and Erdogan. 

When veteran Turkish journalist Hilal Koylu asked Bahceli today whether there was a difference in opinion between himself and Erdogan concerning the Kurdish opening, she was met with a stiff rebuke. “My sibling from the media, stop engaging in actions that provoke Turkey, that promote disinformation and division. And if you can’t, then give up the profession,” Bahceli growled, provoking a flurry of protests from the Turkish press corps and opposition leaders.