despite key hdp leaders being opposed to talks with the chp, the party's deputy leader sezgin tanrıkulu is allegedly engaged in closed negotiations with the hdp so that the talks do not generate controversy within the party's parliamentary group or voters. several party members have resigned or openly criticised the chp for seeking an alliance with the hdp. workers' party leader doğu perinçek claimed that the akp had 'left' the terrorist group pkk in the 'lap of the chp' in the lead-up to elections. as part of this potential electoral strategy, candidacies would be offered to the mother of ali i̇smail korkmaz and the father of berkin elvan, both of whom were killed by government forces during the 2013 gezi park protests.