During a heated exchange while debating Turkey's education bill on Thursday night, which if passed would see the closing of over three thousand private tutoring centers - also known as 'dershanes', one opposition MP was taken to hospital.
CHP MP Kulkuloglu was taken to hospital by ambulance and will be kept under observation for a while.
Blows were exchanged between ruling AK Party MP Metin Kulunk and Republican People's Party (CHP) MP's Erdal Aksunger and Sevki Kulkuloglu.
The debate on the bill will continue on Friday but the government is keen to see the bill passed before the parliament breaks for recess on Monday till after the local elections on March 30.
The ‘National Education Basic Law’, known as the ‘Dershane bill’, was one of the most important topics of discussion on the national agenda before the anti-graft operation launched on December 17.
Debate on the bill quickly moved away from its contents to discuss the recent incidents regarding the "wiretapping scandal" and "anti-graft operation", CHP MP Melda Onur accused the ruling party of corruption.
Arguments ensued when AK Party MP Selcuk Ozdag accused the opposition CHP's Izmir Mayor, Aziz Kocaoglu of corruption and slating CHP's history in Turkey's political life. Retaliatory comments followed with CHP parliamentary group deputy chairman Akif Hamzacebi.
"You have been caught in the act (pointing out the anti-graft operation)," said Hamzacebi.
After these arguments, the atmosphere in the general assembly became tense and the AK Party MP Sureyya Sadi Bilgic advanced on CHP MP Ali Riza Oztürk resulting in the exchange of blows.
The General assembly will convene today to debate the comprehensive bill on education, which has a total of 28 articles.
The bill is expected to go through late today.
englishenws@aa.com.tr
