İmamoğlu's remarks on 'YSK' and 'ministers': 'They could not manage the process...'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor and CHP's candidate for the new term, Ekrem İmamoğlu, criticized ministers for supporting the AKP's election campaign.

Speaking on NOW TV, İmamoğlu criticized the Supreme Election Council (YSK), stating that the process was not managed properly.

İmamoğlu said, "The YSK is watching; they have rights that concern the YSK."

REACTION TO TRT: "WHAT KIND OF BROADCASTING IS THIS?"

Criticizing TRT as well, Ekrem İmamoğlu said, "Search the archives for Ekrem İmamoğlu on TRT over the last 5 years. They won't find any news that isn't disparaging or defamatory. What kind of broadcasting is this?"

Regarding the ruling party, İmamoğlu said, "This election is different because they see Istanbul as their property. The ministry claims ownership of every metro line. I suppose they will appoint Mr. Kurum as the security chief there."

RESPONSE TO KURUM REGARDING "MEATBALL SELLER"

Bringing up Murat Kurum's remark that he 'could only be a meatball seller' again, İmamoğlu spoke as follows:

"I worked as a porter, I sold meatballs, and I stood at the cash register. I went to Trabzon and learned how to make Akçaabat meatballs. They say, 'Be a bit of a tradesman.' I wish he would learn how important being a tradesman is in Istanbul. At 21, I opened the first Akçaabat meatball shop in Istanbul. Being a tradesman is sometimes as important as being a teacher or a scientist. It is being an older brother or sister."

Stating that he is familiar with the backgrounds of all district candidates, İmamoğlu added, "Our citizens can vote for our 39 district candidates with peace of mind. We are asking for votes for our council members in 39 districts and, of course, for Ekrem İmamoğlu."

"OUR AKP FRIENDS SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR THE AKP"

Stating that AKP voters should also 'teach a lesson' to their own party in this election, İmamoğlu used the following expressions:

"I think that even though the nation votes for the AK Party and Erdoğan, they will remind them of their responsibilities. The AK Party is failing to meet the expectations of those who vote for it. That is why our AK Party friends in Istanbul should not vote for the AK Party."