Zee Media Bureau
Istanbul: After a storm of graft allegations engulfed Turkish government and three ministers resigned, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday decided to reshuffle his cabinet, recruiting 10 new ministers.
After an investigation into illegal money laundering and bribery for construction projects implicated their sons, the three ministers resigned.
Those who resigned were Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Interior Minister Muammer Guler.
Erdogan Bayraktar also urged the PM to quit over the scandal as most of the tainted construction projects were approved by him.
"I want to express my belief that the esteemed prime minister should also resign," he said.
However, he also termed the investigation into the corruption scandal a "dirty game" by foreign and Turkish forces to disrepute the government ahead of March elections.
Some reports also suggest the involvement of Fethullah Gulen, an influential Turkish cleric based in Pennsylvania, who is said to be pitted against the PM in a power struggle.
Gulen left Turkey in 1999 after he was accused of plotting to establish an Islamic state.
