CHP seeks to attract nationalist and religious votes

As the country heads toward the Nov. 1 early elections, the Republican People's Party (CHP) is seeking possible alliances to increase its votes. CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu met with the chairman of the socialist Patriotic Party (VP), Doğu Perinçek, on Saturday. Speaking to the press after the meeting Kılıçdaroğlu denied the allegations about an electoral alliance, however he confirmed Perinçek made them a proposal. "An electoral alliance is not a matter of discussion, we had a fruitful conversation with Mr. Perinçek. He offered us their proposal and their offer is still in the evaluation process," Kılıçdaroğlu said on Saturday, declining to comment further about the details of Perinçek's offer. The VP is a socialist, left-wing nationalist and staunch Kemalist party; it received 161,6250 votes, or 0.35 percent, in the June 7 elections. According to sources, Perinçek asked five deputies from Kılıçdaroğlu to support the CHP in the Nov. 1 elections. However, CHP sources indicated that Kılıçdaroğlu is planning to offer him one or two deputies.

Political sources also said the CHP is in talks with Osman Pamukoğlu, who is a retired major general from the Turkish Army and a politician who founded the Rights and Equality Party (HEPAR). Pamukoğlu is known for his achievements in operations against the PKK between 1993 and 1995 in Hakkari province. According to CHP sources, Kılıçdaroğlu offered a secure place on the CHP list and is allegedly planning to use Pamukoğlu to attract nationalist votes.

Haydar Baş, the chairman of the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), is also reportedly in talks with the CHP. Baş is a leader of one of the sub-divisions of the Qadiri Sufi order. In the June 7 elections his party was received 0.21 percent with 96,403 votes.