Statement on İmamoğlu from Kılıçdaroğlu's deputy Berhan Şimşek: 'He is not our presidential candidate'
Following the absolute nullity decision that saw Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu return as CHP Chairman, there was curiosity regarding what steps he would take concerning İmamoğlu as part of a 'purification' process that has already seen expulsion decisions issued for some deputies. CHP Deputy Chairman Berhan Şimşek made a statement on the matter during a live broadcast.
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Berhan Şimşek, a deputy to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who has been brought back to the helm of the CHP, has called on the imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to resign from the party.
Speaking on a live CNN TÜRK broadcast, Şimşek stated regarding İmamoğlu, "He is not our presidential candidate." Referring to İmamoğlu and Özel, he added, "I am not saying we will expel these friends, but they should resign from the party."
When asked during the program, "Is İmamoğlu still the official presidential candidate of the CHP?", Şimşek replied, "No, he is not. The presidential office has also been closed."
Regarding a question on whether they would issue an expulsion decision for İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel, Şimşek said, "A process is underway. If we are talking about purification, these will be evaluated when the time comes. However, this is also what these friends want. Because as they leave, they want to tear pieces off the party and take them with them."
Berhan Şimşek added, "I am not saying we will expel these friends. But if these friends themselves are in favor of clean politics, they should resign from the party right now."