All of the former AKP heavyweights, who are reportedly working on new political movements, will not be in attendance at an AKP anniversary event set to take place in Istanbul on Aug. 23.
Babacan, who has been working to establish a new liberal political party, resigned from the AKP last month, while Gül, reportedly acting with Babacan, and Davutoğlu, who is heading another political party initiative, remain members of the ruling AKP.
“Rather than naming those who will attend one by one, it is sufficient to say that those who feel they belong to the family will be invited,” said Mahir Ünal, deputy head of the AKP, when answering the questions of reporters during presser.
“It should not be expected from us to invite those who do not feel as though they belong to the family,” Ünal said.
Ruling AKP leader and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday ignored former Prime Minister Davutoğlu during the funeral of Deputy Tourism Minister Ahmet Haluk Dursun, who died in a car accident on Monday.
Erdoğan chose not to acknowledge Davutoğlu, who stood nearby during the ceremony at Istanbul's Sultanahmet Mosque.