A reclusive religious cleric who lives in exile in the Poconos is behind the attempted military coup in Turkey, according to the target of the uprising, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Fethullah Gulen, who has been called Turkey’s second most powerful man, initiated the violence, ­Erdogan claims.

Erdogan addressed the nation via cellphone app and singled out the opposition leader as the chaos unfolded. Later, at a press conference, he said, “Now I’m addressing those in Pennsylvania. The betrayal you have shown to this nation and to this community, that’s enough.”

Gulen, once an ally of the president, has criticized Erdogan’s iron rule and called for a moderate version of Islam as well as a more secular and democratic government.

The 75-year-old cleric rejected the claim, saying in a statement released early Saturday that he “categorically” denies Erdogan’s allegations.

“I condemn, in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey,” he said.

“Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not force.”

Erdogan carried out a purge of civil servants suspected of ties to Gulen’s movement.

Gulen was charged criminally with plotting to overthrow the government, placed on trial and convicted in absentia in Turkey earlier this year. The US refused Turkey’s demands to extradite him.

With Post Wire Services