Striking statement from Mansur Yavaş: Response to Akşener on 'coward' and 'presidency'
Although it was claimed that the phrase 'coward Yavaş' in a poem recited by IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener from Nihal Atsız was directed at Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, Party Spokesperson Kürşad Zorlu had denied the allegations. Yavaş said, 'I never accept the word coward. I have never been afraid; someone who is afraid would not run for Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. Being accused of cowardice hurts me.' Yavaş also made striking statements regarding the presidential candidacy process.
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It had been claimed that the phrase 'coward Yavaş' in a poem recited by IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener from Nihal Atsız was directed at Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
IYI Party Spokesperson and Ankara Deputy Kürşad Zorlu had denied the allegations.
However, the remarks made by IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener in Uşak yesterday increased the tension between CHP and IYI Party.
"İMAMOĞLU WILL ALSO LEARN"
Following a series of resignations, Akşener, who said, "It has emerged that there was an operation against our party. I consider this a declaration of war," also showed her reaction to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
Akşener said, "I had an epiphany yesterday; Mr. Erdoğan knows. İmamoğlu will also learn. I was there when Mr. Erdoğan was going to prison. I was the one who took care of his children. I was there when the police checkpoint in front of his house was removed. But I was the one who heard the harshest insults."
"THEY WERE AFRAID AND DID NOT ACCEPT THE NATION'S WISH"
Meral Akşener continued as follows:
"Similarly, I went to Saraçhane for the second time. Those who curse today took things as far as my late mother back then. But I didn't open my mouth until we won. I took them to that table, and I was kicked out of the table. But both of them (Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş) were afraid and did not accept the nation's wish."
STRIKING RESPONSE FROM MANSUR YAVAŞ
While the repercussions of Akşener's statements continue, the first response to those expressions came from Mansur Yavaş.
Answering journalists' questions, Yavaş said, "I never accept the word coward. I have never been afraid; someone who is afraid would not run for Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. If we need to put our hands under the stone, we will."
Yavaş continued his words as follows:
"Akşener had many statements that Kılıçdaroğlu would be the candidate. I wish a different decision had been made without leaving this to the last moment," said Yavaş, adding, "If she really wanted me to be the candidate, perhaps she could have paved the way for me in that manner."