Kılıçdaroğlu's move toward İmamoğlu following the emergence of an audio recording
It has been learned that the 7th Chairman of the CHP, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, will visit Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is being held at Silivri Prison.
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While discussions regarding the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress and the audio recording continue, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will go to Silivri Prison today to meet with the detained IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
It had been alleged that pressure was placed on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu during the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress, where Özgür Özel was elected chairman.
While these allegations remained on the agenda, an audio recording from the congress surfaced.
According to the audio recordings shared by journalist Erk Acarer, Kılıçdaroğlu conveys to İmamoğlu that he wants to withdraw from the race.
It is heard that İmamoğlu, who served as the congress's presiding officer, replied, "Whatever you deem appropriate, Mr. Chairman. The election has started; you cannot legally withdraw right now. My colleagues say you can withdraw with a written application."
KILIÇDAROĞLU'S FIRST STATEMENT AFTER THE AUDIO RECORDING
Journalist Sinan Burhan reported his conversation with Kılıçdaroğlu following the recording on TV100 as follows:
“I am saying the same things as the statements I made previously. Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu characterizes the release of this audio recording as a continuation of this operation. He evaluates this as an operation as well. His main thesis here is: whatever the team and staff were at that time, the same circles are continuing this operation today.
I was thinking of withdrawing before the second round of voting. While I was discussing this situation with the Presiding Officer, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, before the process was completed and an official decision was announced, an 'operation news' piece was published by a social media account named 'Ekrem Edit' claiming that 'Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has withdrawn from candidacy.' This post was a disrespect to me and my will. I never accepted this; therefore, I entered the second round, cast my vote, and stood by my will.
Just as the circles that manipulated the situation by saying Kılıçdaroğlu is withdrawing from the 'Ekrem Edit' account did, the same circles are pursuing similar things today. Because I could not reconcile the perception they created—as if they were presenting me with a fait accompli and giving me orders—with my honor and the honor of the CHP delegates, I entered the second round. A village headman came and said, 'I came from Malatya, I worked within this party'; he pleaded in tears, 'Do not withdraw.'"