Imamoglu's striking comments on the millions sent to AKP municipalities

Imamoglu once again brought up the 45 million liras sent to each AKP municipality before the elections, saying, "Why? They are going to defeat Ekrem. Well, it's not Ekrem you are trying to defeat, you are trying to defeat the nation. But the nation cannot be defeated."

In his speech, Imamoglu stated the following:

"Poor economic policies, the failure to support farmers, the failure to perceive people's needs, and unfortunately, a management approach that has distanced itself from its citizens have forced our people who work their land and raise their livestock, especially in our villages and rural areas, to scream and cry out today. Of course, this broken system in food inflation has brought us to the position of being the country with almost the highest inflation in the world."

"YOU ARE TRYING TO DEFEAT THE NATION"

"Of course, today's central administration, the government, is chasing after all sorts of issues every day to cover up these shortcomings. And every day, they are trying to pin various labels and accusations on all of us. But thank God; lies, deceit, and plunder neither suit us nor stick to us. Instead of dealing with these things, instead of dealing with Ekrem Imamoglu or his companions, or our Chairman, they should focus on solving the nation's problems. They should help the farmers, they should support the farmers. I have said it everywhere, and I will say it again. Today, on this podium, with all my heart and all my faith, believe me, I pray to the Creator that they succeed in fixing the economy. Because in my country, neither poverty, nor hunger, nor unemployment, nor misery suits my nation. Prosperity suits my nation. It is that clear. There is no opposition or government in this matter. Believe me, I wish our economy were good; I wish we were competing for a better economy and stronger achievements.

But in this country, at the end of a 22-year rule, just as they have laid bare the poverty... I am listening to our Mayor's troubles. He expressed some of them. Just think; 5-6 months before the election, before the election, they send 45 million liras each from the presidential coffers to the municipality's coffers. But on one condition; with 14 exceptions. Not to Republican People's Party municipalities, but to AK Party municipalities. To Istanbul. 45 million liras each. Pardon; not 14. There is one more exception. They don't even send it to their partner. They didn't even send it to Silivri. They didn't send it there either. 15. 45 million liras each. Why? Election money.

Why? They are going to defeat Ekrem. Well, it's not Ekrem you are trying to defeat, you are trying to defeat the nation. But the nation cannot be defeated. The nation cannot be defeated. The nation delivers its rights and justice to whoever deserves it. Just as it delivered it to our Mayor Erhan in Catalca, the nation delivered this right to us in Istanbul as well."

REACTION TO SEIZURE

"But do you know what I am sad about? Five months ago, the Presidency, which deposited 45 million into Catalca's account from its coffers—your money is your money—does not say to him while depositing it, 'Go pay your insurance premiums, brother.' It says, 'Spend it on election campaigns. Do whatever it takes, win Catalca. Defeat the Metropolitan Mayor in Istanbul.' It doesn't work. Four months pass. As if he had incurred the insurance debt in those 4 months, they send an enforcement officer to his door. What is this? What is this? Whose is Catalca? The nation's. Whose is the municipality? The nation's. Can such cruelty be done? Is this called politics? Is this called governance? I mean, the one who knows conscience and justice best... Conscience and justice exist in the soul of this nation, in its soul, in its cells. It never compromises on this. It delivers its right to the rightful, just as it did in 2019. It did it again. It will do it again. Therefore, do not think that you are punishing Erhan Bey or other mayors in this way. You are acting to punish your nation. But the nation is the owner of the property; you are not. The nation is the owner of the property. The owner of the realm is the nation. When the day comes, that nation will give you the necessary answer where... At the ballot box where it will show that it is the rightful owner, it will deal you that democratic slap. It is that clear."

CHP MUNICIPALITIES WILL MAKE HISTORY

"They are dealing with us, but it is in vain, futile. Every one of our mayors is busy with their work. Every one of our mayors is striving to provide the strongest municipal service in their own district. Let them not make us discuss empty topics on television, here, or there. Arm in arm, 26 CHP mayors will make history in Istanbul; you will see. My dear journalist brothers and sisters, whom I trust for their good intentions and journalism, who follow us and generally write and draw about our Republican People's Party municipalities.

Leave aside what our friends say or don't say; talk about the country's problems. Forget about us for a while. Tell these stories, tell of these blessings. We don't want anything else. The pro-government media won't show us anyway. They won't show these.

Sometimes they try to show my ugly, crooked, distorted photos. Why? Ekrem is ugly. My mother calls me and says, 'My son, you are beautiful just as you are, you are beautiful like that,' she says. Therefore, every being created by God is beautiful and handsome. I greet you all with these beautiful feelings. I embrace you all with love and respect. May your villages, your lands, your beautiful city, and our entire country be blessed with abundance."