From 1999 to 2002, he served as the Minister of Industry and Commerce in the coalition government of Bülent Ecevit, before losing his seat at the 2002 general election.

He resigned as Deputy Leader after he was offered, but declined, a ministerial position by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu during the formation of an interim election government in August 2015.

He completed his master's degree on the topic of mathematical economics at the Western Illinois University in the United States.

Following the 11th Nationalist Movement Party Ordinary Congress held on 21 March 2015, he became the chair of the Central Executive Committee.

[5] Tanrıkulu was one of the three MHP politicians who were offered ministerial positions by Justice and Development Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu in August 2015.

Tanrıkulu subsequently declined Davutoğlu's offer and resigned as the Deputy Leader of the MHP in protest to the invitation.