Istanbul: Turkey`s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out Saturday at his political enemies over a spate of damning online leaks, in passionate speeches on the eve of crucial local elections.
"They are shameless," he bellowed at one of five rallies he addressed in Istanbul to wrap up a marathon campaign, referring to followers of his declared nemesis, the reclusive US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.
He has accused the 73-year-old imam and his loyalists in the Turkish police force and justice system of being behind a spate of wiretaps and social media leaks exposing major corruption.
Erdogan and his Islamic-leaning party, in power for over a decade, Sunday face the first electoral test since being hit with the twin crises of mass protests and the graft claims spread via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
"The vote you will cast tomorrow will expose this ring of treachery," Erdogan told a sea of flag-waving and chanting supporters, some of whom climbed trees to catch a glimpse of the man they call the "sultan".
Erdogan urged voters to support his party and deal his foes an "Ottoman slap at the ballot box tomorrow" -- a reference to an open-handed blow to the head said to have been a combat technique of Turkey`s former imperial troops.
Although Erdogan`s name won`t be on the ballot in the mayoral and local assembly polls, he has campaigned tirelessly with multiple daily speeches to support candidates of his Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Erdogan, 60, was forced to cancel two campaign events on Friday -- reportedly on doctors` orders to avoid permanent damage to his vocal cords -- after his voice went alternately hoarse and squeaky earlier this week.
Undeterred, he resumed his punishing schedule Saturday in Istanbul, the megacity of more than 15 million where he was once mayor.In the latest YouTube leak, which the government has labelled "an act of espionage", participants in an apparently high-level security meeting are heard discussing plans to fabricate a pretext for military action in Syria.
The embattled government has pressured media outlets and launched an Internet clampdown, including orders to block Twitter and YouTube which have sparked protests from Turkey`s NATO allies and human rights groups.
Amnesty International labelled the bans "a crude attempt at government censorship that will only generate deeper distrust and frustration".
Writers including Salman Rushdie, Gunter Grass and Turkey`s Orhan Pamuk urged the government "to remember that this beautiful country will be stronger and happier when, and if, it appreciates pluralism, diversity and the freedom of words".
For Erdogan -- who is credited with having presided over an economic boom and with enhancing Turkey`s status as an emerging global player -- much is at stake as he seeks to maintain his hold on power.
He has long hoped to take over from President Abdullah Gul in August elections, the first in which Turkish voters will directly elect the head of state.
Erdogan`s third four-year term as prime minister ends next year, the maximum under his party`s rules. He has said he would be willing to serve a fourth term if asked.
In an atmosphere of distrust ahead of Sunday`s election with more than 50 million eligible voters, the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) and tens of thousands of citizen volunteers plan to monitor the ballot count.
CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu attacked the Erdogan government in a final Istanbul campaign speech Saturday, charging that "they have jeopardised the Republic of Turkey. There is nothing left of our state institutions.
"They want to cover up the corruption, they want to cover up the theft of which they are guilty. If we want light and justice, we must act, we must unite our forces. We need a spring cleaning. We must cleanse the political class of those who have soiled it."
