Described to be “modest”, he once said, “We didn't have a fridge, washing machine or dishwasher.”Īs the leader of the pro-secular main opposition party, Kilicdaroglu aimed to reverse crackdowns on free speech and address democratic setbacks. He is married to Selvi and has three children. Kilicdaroglu is often referred to as 'Turkey's Gandhi' due to his mild manners and physical resemblance to Mahatma Gandhi. If elected, he would be the first Alevi to lead Turkey. However, Kilicdaroglu faces challenges in winning over conservative Sunni voters, who form the core of Erdogan's support. He hails from the rebellious eastern Tunceli province, known for its Kurdish and Alevi majority. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a 74-year-old former civil servant, is the candidate of the opposition parties forming a coalition against President Erdogan.

Also Read | Why all eyes are on the Turkey elections Kemal Kilicdaroglu Know about Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the centre-left, pro-secular Republican People's Party, or CHP who is known as “Turkey's Gandhi” and emerged as a prominent rival to long-standing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Kemal Kilicdaroglu (C) the 74-year-old leader of the center-left, pro-secular Republican People's Party, or CHP, arrives for a press conference in Ankara on May 15, 2023. Consequently, a second round of voting for the presidential election is scheduled for May 28.

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received 49.51% of the votes, while his main rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu received 44.88% and the third candidate, Sinan Ogan, received 5.2%. In the Turkish presidential election held on Sunday, no candidate secured the required 50% majority to win outright, according to Turkey's High Election Board (YSK), as reported by news agency Reuters.

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