Turkish main opposition leader's hand gesture in parliament infuriates AKP deputies

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's hand gesture in parliament has infuriated ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies.

Kılıçdaroğlu was giving a fiery speech in parliament during budget discussions when he made the hand gesture that AKP lawmakers deemed "offensive." 

Seemingly bothered by the actual content of Kılıçdaroğlu's speech that was filled with criticism of the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, AKP deputies took the hand gesture as an opportunity to shout at the main opposition leader and called on him to apologize. 

AKP Group Deputy Chair Mahir Ünal asked Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop to reprimand Kılıçdaroğlu, as other ruling party deputies also urged Şentop to cut his speech. 

Following loud objections, Şentop said that he didn't see Kılıçdaroğlu's hand gesture and that he would look into it after the session. 

CHP Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özel defended Kılıçdaroğlu, saying that he didn't mean to insult anyone. 

His explanation failed to satisfy AKP politicians, with Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank calling the act "shameful." 

AKP Group Deputy Chair Bülent Turan was another politician to slam the main opposition leader. 

"He is 72 years old! He is the leader of the main opposition! This is the hand gesture he makes!" Turan said on Twitter.

"We are tired of being ashamed on his behalf. We have nothing to say!" he added. 

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