A Strong Message from Ekrem İmamoğlu: “You Are Not My Companions!”
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu reacted strongly to the internal party conflicts in his speech at the opening of the Sultanbeyli Battalgazi Neighborhood Fire Station. İmamoğlu criticized those dealing with problems within the CHP, saying that this attitude wastes time instead of finding solutions to the nation’s problems. Stating that “Those who waste time with internal party issues are not my companions,” İmamoğlu emphasized that the focus should be on the country’s issues.
Strong Messages at the Opening Ceremony
İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who attended the opening ceremony of the new fire station in Sultanbeyli, made remarkable statements in his speech there. İmamoğlu, who touched on the tensions experienced recently at the CHP’s Bylaws Congress, stated that the personal showdowns within the party waste time and harm the country. He particularly emphasized that those who deal with minor issues such as “You stepped on my foot, you touched my arm” towards those involved in party politics cannot be his companions.
Time Should Not Be Wasted on Intra-Party Issues
İmamoğlu stated that personal conflicts within the party prevented him from focusing on the nation’s problems. Stating that “It is time to talk about the nation’s problems and find solutions,” İmamoğlu said that dealing with such conflicts was a betrayal to Turkey and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Continuing his speech with the words “Party work is a tool, the aim is to serve the nation,” İmamoğlu stated that he was proud to be a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), but emphasized that the party was merely a tool.
Companionship and the Issue of the Country
İmamoğlu, who also gave messages to mayors and politicians in the party in his speech, expressed that he saw everyone who aimed to work harder for the country as a companion. “Every mayor who strives to do the best is my best companion,” said İmamoğlu, adding that politicians who do their job in the best way will always be by his side. However, he emphasized that he will not walk the same path as those who waste time with personal calculations.
A Call to Work to Serve the Country
İmamoğlu said that instead of wasting time on intra-party issues, all energy should be spent on the development of Turkey. “Those who betray the nation are those who waste time on intra-party issues,” said İmamoğlu, emphasizing that the way to be worthy of Atatürk is to produce solutions to the people’s problems. In his statements, İmamoğlu celebrated Veterans Day and called for unity and solidarity for the future of Turkey, and expressed his dream of a prosperous Turkey.
Who Was at the Ceremony?
In addition to İmamoğlu, the opening ceremony was attended by CHP MP Yunus Emre, Sancaktepe Mayor Alper Yeğin, Çekmeköy Mayor Orhan Çerkez and Kartal Mayor Gökhan Yüksel. At the opening of the ceremony, İmamoğlu also emphasized the importance of this new fire station brought to Sultanbeyli for the safety of the city. Stating that the firefighters work with devotion, İmamoğlu added that the fire infrastructure in Istanbul will continue to be strengthened.
How Was It Interpreted by the Public?
Ekrem İmamoğlu’s statements received a wide response from some circles within the party. These statements, which came especially after the tensions experienced at the CHP’s Constitution Congress, were interpreted as İmamoğlu taking a clear stance against some problems within the party. While some circles found İmamoğlu’s emphasis on a nation-oriented political approach positive, some suggested that these messages could lead to more discussions within the party.
İmamoğlu’s words, “He is not my comrade” were evaluated as a warning, especially regarding the resolution of disagreements within the party. These statements seem to create more discussions in the internal dynamics of the CHP in the upcoming period.
