Abdulkadir Selvi announces, citing 'a group within CHP': 'They say İmamoğlu is backing Sinem Dedetaş'

Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi has claimed that a group within the CHP, which he says wants Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to become president, wants him to leave Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş as his successor.

Stating that "a group within the CHP cannot find a seat for Ekrem İmamoğlu to occupy. One group is suggesting he resign 1.5 years before the presidential election and start his campaign. As if İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy were certain," Selvi reported the following:

"It is said that Ekrem İmamoğlu will also resign from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality 1-1.5 years before the presidential election for a successful campaign. It is said he is considering Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş to replace him."

"CHP members compare the closeness between Sinem Dedetaş and Ekrem İmamoğlu to the relationship between Erdoğan and Binali Yıldırım," Selvi said, adding, "I thought Ekrem İmamoğlu would nominate Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık to replace him. Because when he was a candidate for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, he had proposed Murat Çalık to replace him. But the information I have received in recent days is not in that direction. It is said that Murat Çalık wants the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and that they are distant for this reason. They say İmamoğlu is backing Sinem Dedetaş."