After the main rival SODEP was banned from entering the election,[1] the HP became the only party attractive for ex-CHP voters.
Although he was not a well known name, he caused a nationwide excitement in a panel discussion on TV by his reaction to the proposal of privatization of İstanbul Bosphorus Bridge.
In the election held on 6 November 1983, the HP received 30.5% of the votes and Necdet Calp, now PM from Ankara Province, became the opposition leader.
[2] In the local elections held on 21 March 1984, in which SODEP also competed, the HP received 8.8%, which meant a loss of nearly 75% of its votes in less than five months.
[3] On the general congress of the party held on 29 June 1985, he lost his chair to Aydın Güven Gürkan.