Republican People's Party's (CHP) Deputy Chairman and Istanbul deputy Kemal Dervis replied harshly, the businessman and industrialist from Izmir who criticized Deniz Baykal and called on Dervis to be the leader of CHP.

In the dinner given by Mayor of Izmir Ahmet Pristina, Dervis said that he knew the sincerity and honesty of his 30-year-old friend Baykal with whom he did not have consensus on every issue. Dervis said, "Baykal does not say he will do something, if he is going to act otherwise. He does not stab one from the back. Do not expect me to do something that will cause weakness for Mr. Deniz!"