First statement from Ekrem İmamoğlu following Buğra Kavuncu's candidacy!

The IYI Party, which decided to enter the local elections 'freely and independently,' has nominated Buğra Kavuncu to run against Ekrem İmamoğlu and Murat Kurum in Istanbul.

IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu answered questions from journalists following the KİPTAŞ Urban Transformation Project and the İş Bankası Blocks İncirli Parcel Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Regarding Buğra Kavuncu's IMM candidacy, İmamoğlu said, "Every political party can nominate its own candidate. It is never right for me to criticize a political party's freedom to nominate its own candidate. Moreover, every candidate is valuable. May his path be clear. He set out for the Istanbul alliance. The journey continues. Every candidate who sets out with their own unique political will is valuable. Our successes strengthen our alliance."

"WE ARE FACING A MENTALITY THAT COMPARES OUR 5 YEARS OF WORK WITH 25 YEARS"

Speaking about his 5 years of work at the IMM, İmamoğlu said, "Today, no one is questioning our successes in our five years of work. But we are facing a mentality that compares our five years of work with their 25 years of work. We will continue to win the votes of every individual in our nation one by one," he said.

"I WILL CALL THE CANDIDATES ONE BY ONE, I AM WAITING FOR THE PROCESS TO BE COMPLETED"

In response to the question, 'Will you call Buğra Kavuncu?', İmamoğlu replied, "I will call and congratulate all of them one by one, not after the candidates are announced, but after all candidates have matured. I haven't called anyone yet because the process is not complete, but I will call not only Mr. Buğra but also the other candidates; I am just waiting for the process to be completed."

RESPONSE TO MURAT KURUM

Responding to the criticism from AKP candidate Murat Kurum regarding metro lines, "They built 8 km of metro and did not keep their promises," he said, "We will have completed our 65 km metro line in March. You can see how forgetful those who do politics by forgetting even mathematics are by the answer they gave to the Kanal Istanbul question. They are people who will cause harm before the election and who suddenly forget everything they passionately defended until yesterday. Or we know that they have a mentality that will resort to any means if it will be beneficial in the election, so the figures they give are not important to me."

In response to Kurum's statement, "The Çam Sakura Hospital road was not built, the Dolmabahçe tunnel project was canceled, we leave it to the conscience of Istanbulites," İmamoğlu replied, "Don't worry, the conscience of Istanbulites will do what is necessary."