İmamoğlu responds to Akşener's billboard allegations: 'It is heading toward a point where people think throwing stones at Ekrem İmamoğlu will gain them political capital'

IYI Party leader Meral Akşener spoke at her party's group meeting today.

Stating that her party was not allowed to put up its billboards, Akşener said, "Our billboard visuals went to print, photos were taken and sent to someone, and a phone call came to the company from Istanbul. 'You will not hang these, soften them.' Moreover, it seems they are not to be hung not only in Istanbul but also in Ankara and Izmir."

"MUNICIPAL CENSORSHIP" ALLEGATION

Akşener had said the following:

Some people want us to run a campaign without billboards. It is not Beştepe that wants to censor us, it is Saraçhane. I can hear you saying, 'Come on, can it really be that bad?' Well, it is.

Now let me tell you the details of the incident; we have 4 slogans. First, 'You are not forced to accept either the pressure of a single man or the infighting of co-chairs.'

Second, 'You are not forced to accept those who wage war on the Republic or those who create space for terrorism.'

Third, 'You are not forced to accept the pro-government media or the partisan media.'

Fourth, 'You are not forced to accept those who call you ignorant or those who call you a traitor.'

I added a fifth one myself; 'You are not forced to accept the Palace's censorship or the municipality's censorship.'

We made an agreement with the company in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Our billboards were supposed to be hung last Sunday evening and be visible on the streets on Monday. Our billboard visuals went to print, photos were taken and sent to someone, and a phone call came to the company from Istanbul. 'You will not hang these, soften them.' Moreover, it seems they are not to be hung not only in Istanbul but also in Ankara and Izmir. Then they get angry when we mention co-chairmanship. Remember the halls we rented during the referendum process and the meeting process.

"IT IS HEADING TOWARD A POINT WHERE PEOPLE THINK IT WILL GAIN THEM POLITICAL CAPITAL"

Responding to Akşener's billboard allegations, İmamoğlu stated:

"They know best that we would not engage in such obstruction or such attempts or actions. This billboard issue likely does not just involve Istanbul. It involves various cities. In these matters, cities and companies are being managed. It is clear that talking about Istanbul and Ekrem İmamoğlu or throwing stones at Ekrem İmamoğlu is heading toward a point where people think it will gain them political capital. Thank God we are used to it. No stone thrown at us has any effect; they should be careful, as they turn into roses while coming toward us.

We have no such concerns; we have always felt responsible toward democracy. Ms. Akşener knows this best."

"I FEEL THAT HE FOLLOWS ME DAY AND NIGHT"

Regarding the criticisms of President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he said:

"I have said it before, and I will continue to say it. When he first gave me an appointment in January 2020, I felt his interest in me. This interest has never ended. I can see that he follows me all the time. I can even feel that he follows me day and night. I have one concern; I cannot help but wonder if our President is getting tired from following me and losing sleep at night. I hope his showing me this intense interest does not hinder him from doing his job. It is clear that it is a bit of a hindrance. I mentioned mathematics before regarding Mr. Kurum's statement; he caused us to experience the ultimate weakness of mathematics. We are once again facing a team that has problems with mathematics. The presidential salary was 74,500 liras, which was 13,500 dollars at the exchange rate at that time. Today, it has risen to around 183,000 liras, but its value has dropped to 6,000 dollars. I think when looking at these calculations, they can read and see the process better with the benefit of the mathematics related to the IMM budget. Because sometimes I cannot help but think: how will someone who is of no use even to himself in his 5-year rule be of any use to our people? They should stop commenting on the IMM, as my qualified colleagues who manage their budgets well are managing the economy according to its rules and toward better management of operations. We see right now that the mind and mentality governing Turkey and the President should not deal with Istanbul's business, but rather with the pensioner who is struggling to make ends meet and their salary. They should find a solution to the rise in foreign currency and the increase in costs. I invite our President to do his job."

Stating that he was not invited to the Istanbul Airport-Gayrettepe Metro line, İmamoğlu also said, "Those who have an understanding that says 'we went to put out a fire with his permission' are worried about inviting us to such openings," while continuing his words as follows:

"They don't invite us, but even if it is very late, I am happy about the metro line built to Istanbul Airport, but we are facing a team that does not invite us to this opening either. He thinks it belongs to him."

KANAL ISTANBUL

Regarding the photo referencing Kanal Istanbul on the Istanbul Airport-Gayrettepe Metro line, İmamoğlu said, "Ask Kurum, who does not let Kanal Istanbul fall from his tongue but does not mention it in this process."

"CO-CHAIR" DISCOURSE

When asked about Erdoğan's use of the term "co-chairman" for CHP leader Özgür Özel, implying you, İmamoğlu replied, "These impolite attitudes and behaviors are neither worthy of my interlocutor nor of a nature that I would respond to."

REFERENCE TO THE PHOTO OF URALOĞLU AND KURUM

Regarding the statements that the toll booths in Mahmutbey will be removed, he said, "Mr. Uraloğlu is doing the right thing, I hope they remove them. Or I suggest that they inform Mr. Kurum, who does not know that the authority for the traffic regulation at and around the Mahmutbey Toll Booths belongs to the Ministry of Transport, and look at a computer screen or a map together."