Davutoglu, who is also the former prime minister, defended the use of mother tongue in education during a speech in the Kurdish southeastern province of Diyarbakir, saying that the practice takes place in all democratic countries, Duvar reported.

His comments were slammed by Bahceli, who said that Davutoglu used the discourse of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Diyarbakir.

“The fact that Davutoglu talked about the Kurdish issue and mentioned education in mother tongue is a scandalous example of the extent that captivity to imperialism has reached,” Bahceli said in a written statement on Aug. 12.

He also slammed Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) leader Ali Babacan over his remarks on Turkey’s economy, accusing him of criticizing the economy upon the orders of the IMF and “international pawn brokers.”

Bahceli once again praised Turkey’s executive presidential system and said that the demand to return to a strengthened parliamentary system are “pointless.”

“The foundation of the future was laid with the executive presidential system,” he added.

Reporter’s code: 50101