Alevi votes no piece of cake for İhsanoğlu, CHP

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has been having a hard time since the announcement of Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu as a joint candidate for the presidential election in August.

Different groups within the party, from nationalists to socialists, have been criticizing the idea of having a joint candidate with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as well as nominating İhsanoğlu himself.
One of the toughest reactions came from the Alevis, most of who vote for the CHP, with two of the country’s largest Alevi organizations calling for the community to not vote for İhsanoğlu.

“As Alevis, we do not think İhsanoğlu, who comes from a Turkish-Islamic background, will be a suitable candidate for presidency,” Müslüm Doğan, chairman of Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, was quoted as saying in Akşam daily. Doğan added İhsanoğlu is “closer to the MHP” than the CHP and Alevis “will not vote for a MHP candidate.”

Alevi Bektaşi Federation chair Fevzi Gümüş recalled that İhsanoğlu was once an advisor to Alparslan Türkeş, the founder of the MHP and the legendary leader of the nationalist movement in Turkey.
“İhsanoğlu, who does not meet public expectations, cannot be the Alevis’ candidate,” he said.

In such an environment, Kılıçdaroğlu, an Alevi himself, stands tall behind İhsanoğlu, arguing he is a candidate that fits the party’s profile.

Similar reactions rose from the Alevi community when the CHP nominated Mansur Yavaş of the MHP as their candidate for the mayor of Ankara in the March 30 local elections. Many Alevis believe MHP members were behind the vicious...