CHP Bakırköy Mayor Kerimoğlu's statement on Köksal: 'Unacceptable'

CHP's Bakırköy Mayor Bülent Kerimoğlu was a guest on the program 'Taksim Meydanı' with Gürkan Hacır on tv100. During the program, Kerimoğlu shared his assessments on current events.

In response to Hacır's question, "You had announced your candidacy against Ekrem İmamoğlu. In fact, you made the first announcement on our program, Taksim Meydanı. Later, you went out and declared your candidacy, but then Ekrem Bey became the candidate and continued on his path. 

Are you working for Ekrem İmamoğlu in the election campaign?" Kerimoğlu replied, "The question of whether you are working for the Republican People's Party or Ekrem İmamoğlu at this hour of the night is a bit heavy. First and foremost, I am a Republican People's Party member by heritage, from my father and grandfather. I am a person deeply committed to CHP values. 

I have previously undertaken many duties within the CHP, served as a provincial and district executive, served as provincial secretary, been a parliamentary candidate, a mayoral candidate, and I have been serving as Mayor in one of Turkey's most respected and distinguished districts on behalf of the CHP for two terms. I owe a debt to my party for the honor it has bestowed upon me. It is out of the question for me not to work for the Republican People's Party."

“IT IS NOT RIGHT TO USE DISCRIMINATORY LANGUAGE”

Regarding the remarks made by CHP Afyonkarahisar mayoral candidate Burcu Köksal towards the DEM Party, Kerimoğlu said, "Such racist statements are unacceptable.

Whether it is Burcu Köksal, another mayor, or another politician, it is not right for people to use such discriminatory language based on ethnic origins.

She is not saying she will not let citizens into the municipality regarding DEM Party members. She is saying she will not run the municipality with them. That is how I understood it," he said.

"THE CANDIDATE IN ESENYURT WAS NOT MET WITH SYMPATHY"

Regarding CHP's Esenyurt mayoral candidate Ahmet Özer, Kerimoğlu said, "Unfortunately, the candidacy in Esenyurt has not been met with much sympathy among Republican People's Party members."

Upon Yarkadaş's question, "Couldn't Ahmet Özer's views have changed? After all, he has written 37 books," Kerimoğlu replied, "I don't know if Ahmet Özer's views have changed.

If he convinces the voters that his views have changed when he meets them on the campaign trail, he will receive their votes. As you say, we will understand then that his views have changed."

"MY RELATIONSHIP WITH EKREM İMAMOĞLU IS NOT STRAINED"

In response to Hacır's question, "I am curious. Is your relationship with Ekrem İmamoğlu strained?" Kerimoğlu replied, "No, it is not, my dear, how could it be?"