The opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which in the past has often supported the government on policy moves, said the Islamist-rooted AKP was attacking the legal establishment in its bid to avoid being shut down for alleged violation of Turkey's secular constitution. 'Instead of defending themselves on a legitimate basis, the prime minister and the AKP have chosen the path of showing their political strength and practically declared a jihad against the judiciary,' MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said in a statement.

'Prime Minister (Tayyip) Erdogan and the AKP have launched a campaign of illegitimate and immoral attacks, threats and terror targeting the independent Turkish judiciary,' he said, calling on President Abdullah Gul to act to restore harmony.

Gul said, according to the state Anatolian news agency, that he would consider the request. Turkey was plunged into political turmoil in March when the Constitutional Court agreed to consider a case by a chief prosecutor, who seeks the AKP's closure.

DEEPENING ROW

The nationalist statement underlined the AKP's increased isolation in parliament in its deepening row with the country's judges. It followed a fierce exchange on Wednesday between the government and the Court of Appeals, which said political circles were seeking to influence the judiciary.

Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek responded by saying the court comments were politically motivated and accused it of trying to bolster legal moves to close the party.

Turkey's financial markets are nervously monitoring the court case and associated row, fearing the impact of months of political uncertainty. The lira currency fell earlier this week on fears the ruling party would be closed down.

Turkey's secularist establishment, including the judiciary and army generals, has long accused the AKP of plotting to erode the republic's separation of state and religion.

The AK Party rejects the accusations.

The chief prosecutor of the Court of Appeals is also calling for 71 AK Party members, including Gul and Erdogan, to be banned from belonging to a political party for five years.

Secularists cite a recent amendment to the constitution lifting a ban on female students wearing the Muslim headscarf at university as evidence of the party's efforts to undermine the country's secular system.

Turkish courts have banned more than 20 parties over the years on allegations of Islamist or Kurdish separatist agendas. A predecessor to the AK Party was closed down in 2001.

The AK Party has presented its preliminary defence to the court and a response from the prosecutor is expected by end-May.

Senior AK Party sources told Reuters last week that the party was preparing itself for the possibility that the Constitutional Court may close it down and ban the prime minister from politics. A successor to AK Party would then be formed, they said.