No one expected it. Naturally, conspiracy theories were flying. I'm talking about Devlet Bahçeli's press conference. After the article titled "The 154 Targets of the MHP" was published here on Monday, it became the talk of the town. Everyone was curious about what Bahçeli would say. It wasn't what anyone expected. Bahçeli, however, seemed prepared to talk about the 154 individuals. He held a file containing the MHP’s petition submitted to the court overseeing the Sinan Ateş murder case. Yet, not a single journalist at the conference asked about it. Bahçeli asked, "Any other questions?" but there was silence. Clearly, the journalists in the room saw no news value in the 154 list! The meeting seemed to end. There was even a faint applause. But Bahçeli began again, "I want to remind you of something here," and spoke about holding the 154 accountable, showing the list. Thus, the MHP officially declared, "We are after you."

So, what happens now?

No, I’m not asking what the MHP will do. We know that the petition was dismissed by the court the same day. Hence, the list has no legal standing. What I'm asking is what those named on the list will do.

What Do the Listed Individuals Think?

Curious, I asked various people. Here’s a summary of the responses I received:

Ümit Özdağ:

"I don't take it seriously. I don't care. The mentality that has its own youth wing leaders killed by hitmen is one to be fought against. I will continue my struggle."

Ali Babacan:

"I said this on KRT as well. Bahçeli has one foot in politics and the other in a gang. This is not how politics should be done. A structure has formed that misuses state power for material gain. I don't know if the AK Party community is aware of whom they are partnering with. I look at the founding values and see who they are forced to stand next to today, and I feel sad. I see the discomfort in being associated with so many crimes alongside the AK Party."

Uğur Poyraz:

"I was there when the petition was submitted to the court. The court rejected it. Such a petition is, first of all, audacious. It's a display of legal ignorance, a lack of political ethics, and thuggery. The content of the petition is not legally sound. It’s based on sensitivity. No one spontaneously mentioned the MHP. The defendants in the case themselves have connections with the MHP. This investigation and prosecution were carried out by law enforcement and the judiciary. Also, under what authority are you making this list? While claiming 'within the law,' what they did was clearly targeting individuals. I am curious about what the state will do. The task first falls to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Supreme Court Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. We expect the state's intellect and morality to come forward. We allow a reasonable period for this. If this intellect and morality do not appear, we will exercise our rights. My party leader and I are following the process in this manner."

Murat Bakan:

"I face threats frequently. I don’t let them go to encourage hitmen. I discussed this petition with my lawyers. For now, I decided to wait and evaluate it calmly."

Ruşen Gültekin:

"A swift response is necessary to the extent possible. We know the judiciary is in their hands, under control. But we must still defend our rights. We should not let them torment us. I believe it is right to file a compensation lawsuit against the MHP for all the insults. This petition was submitted to the court. It was not found legally acceptable. It was a show, so to speak. There is evident targeting, defamation, and insult. I think filing a compensation lawsuit together is the best course of action."

Orhan Uğuroğlu:

"If Ayşe Ateş and her daughters, who were promised justice by the Minister of Justice and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, are guilty, then I am guilty too. Actually, I believe Bahçeli's target is Erdoğan. This petition mentions 154 people on the surface, but if you add Erdoğan, it becomes 155. Because we all demanded justice for Sinan Ateş. I talked to my lawyer. We will seek our rights against those who prepared this petition that targets us. I will request to merge my previous case, where I was attacked by MHP members, with the Sinan Ateş case. After all, it's about the political attacks of the same organization. I will also request protection."

Türker Ertürk:

"I was previously threatened with death by Bahçeli's bodyguard. I even submitted a photo with Bahçeli to the judiciary. But the judiciary couldn't find the threatener! I think this party has lost its characteristic of being a political party bound by law. Therefore, I thought of applying to the Supreme Court Prosecutor's Office for necessary action. However, I'm not sure if this is possible. I am considering filing a lawsuit because I am threatened. Additionally, it would be logical for the 154 to prepare a joint statement. This initiative should come from the main opposition leader."

Ufuk Söylemez:

"I served in the same parliament as Mr. Bahçeli. I knew him as a respectful and polite person who respected democracy. But now, I have difficulty recognizing him. I can't describe how shocked I am by his preparation of such a disgraceful list. I am the son of a gendarmerie veteran. I am at the center and a nationalist following Atatürk. I don’t need to learn nationalism from Bahçeli. I look at what I have said. I said the Sinan Ateş murder should not be covered up, politics should not conceal it. I haven't made a blanket accusation against anyone, including the MHP. Also, the MHP can be criticized. Mr. Bahçeli and I have criticized each other a lot in the past. If that’s the case, they should add an article to the Constitution stating 'MHP cannot be criticized,' to make it complete. I am curious about what it means to say they will do what is necessary when the time comes. I wonder what they are waiting for. They want to scare us with this list. We won’t be afraid, and we will never make lists ourselves. I haven't taken any action yet. But if an initiative takes place, I am ready to be there."

Afşin Hatipoğlu:

"I considered a legal initiative. But I haven't decided yet. If there is an initiative on this issue, I will join. Despite being attacked before, my requests for protection were rejected."

The list goes on...

This is how the "154" who have now entered Turkish political history respond. There are various suggestions, from issuing a joint statement defending democracy and the rule of law to calling on the Supreme Court Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to take action. The expectation is that the law and politics will lead these initiatives. Incidentally, considering that those previously targeted by the MHP were often attacked and these incidents were closed as "not political," the state needs to take the "we will hold you accountable" declarations seriously.