Imamoglu challenges Murat Kurum and ministers: 'Good luck to me, good luck to them all'

IMM Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who has been nominated again as a candidate in Istanbul for the local elections on March 31, 2024, attended the opening ceremony of the Atakoy Baruthane structures.

Responding to questions from members of the press after the ceremony, Imamoglu gave messages regarding the local elections.

Imamoglu was asked about his rival Murat Kurum sharing a photo with the Minister of Transport on the day his candidacy was announced, signaling that he would receive the support of ministers in this race.

Imamoglu gave the following response;

"GOOD LUCK TO ME, GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL"

"Clearly, the photo with the minister—unfortunately, the certain settings and balances of this business have been disrupted in our country with this new regime. Certain ministries or institutions of our country should approach such environments with sensitivity, no matter the circumstances. But the new system has evolved into something else, starting with the personal stance, language, and attitude of the President, and the attitudes of the ministers he appointed. But we are used to this. Of course, I do not care about this photo because we have revived the work that the political mind that has been in power in Istanbul for about 20-something years, the political mind that has been governing Turkey for over 21 years, could not find solutions to. We are doing it. We are bringing structures that have turned into mud like this back to life, calling them ancestral heritage. If things were done with just a single photo, it is likely that various transport ministers, mayoral candidates, or mayors would have taken thousands of photos over the last 21 years. But we set out not to take photos, but to find solutions to our nation's problems. Good luck to me, and good luck to them all."

"I KNOW MY RIVAL"

Repeating the phrase "I know my rival," Imamoglu said, "I know my rival; it is up to our people to interpret it however they wish."

Imamoglu continued his remarks as follows:

"I AM STILL READY TO WORK AT THE SAME TABLE AND BE A SOLDIER OF THAT TABLE"

"(Regarding Kurum's 'all' statement) Istanbul's struggle with urban transformation has been ongoing since the '99 earthquake. If this struggle, which has been going on for the last 25 years, continues at the same pace, the time for Istanbul to recover is 80-90 years. We begged, we pleaded, we insisted that we bring this work into a holistic structure. There is no single solution to this. As a municipality that has poured its heart out to Minister Kurum, they have cut off communications and (pointing with his index finger) shown the way like this. There is no single solution to this, it cannot be, and it has not been. But there is a solution to this, which is 'all together.' I understand Kurum's use of the word 'all,' but I see that they have no contribution to the spirit of total mobilization. I wish for it to happen from now on. The entire struggle regarding the earthquake is national, but there is a greater national responsibility regarding Istanbul because it is a matter of survival. I am still ready to work at the same table and be a soldier of that table. I will not take a step back; I would be honored to be at that table, let's come and talk."

"I DO NOT LOOK AT WHO IS RUNNING BEHIND ME"

I am a candidate who is focused on the process and always ready to run to break records, like a marathon runner who breaks their own records without looking at the position of the rival. I do not look at who is running behind me; I will continue to run by looking at the records I will break in front of me. God knows the results.

"THIS NATION WILL TEACH YOU A LESSON"

“We are doing work, we are taking action, we are not pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. We never create a field of hostility by alienating others. We are bringing the past and the future together here. We are a team that acts without saying 'us' or 'you,' and does not discriminate while serving its people. Let me say this here to those who attack us in the exact opposite way; this nation will teach you a lesson on March 31, 2024.”

News Source: 12punto