Why was Ali not the first caliph?

Unfortunately, based on historical evidences, the following might be the reasons why Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu Talib was not chosen as the first Caliph immediately after the demise of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a): Power-seeking thought: Some Muslims considered prophethood as a worldly position, without any Divine appointment.Click to see full answer. Likewise, where was Ali when the first caliph was being decided?In order to resolve the deadlock all of the Muslims gathered in Mosque of Prophet on 18 June 656CE. (25th Dhu al-Hijjah 35AH.) to choose the caliph. Ali refused to accept caliphate by the fact that the people who pressed him hardest were the rebels, and he therefore declined at first.Secondly, how did Ali become Caliph? Ali protected Muhammad from an early age and took part in almost all the battles fought by the nascent Muslim community. After migrating to Medina, he married Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah. He was appointed caliph by Muhammad’s companions in 656, after Caliph Uthman ibn Affan was assassinated. Correspondingly, why Ali was killed? Ali, who was then 62 or 63 years of age, died due to his injuries two days after Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Amr ibn Muljam al-Murabi struck him on his head by a poison-coated sword, on the 21 (or 19) Ramadan 40 AH (28 January 661 CE). He was the third successive caliph, after Umar and Uthman, to be assassinated.Why are Shias obsessed with Ali?Shias contend that Ali did not fight Abu Bakr, Umar or Uthman, because he did not have the military strength and, if he had decided to, it would have caused a civil war amongst the Muslims. Ali also believed that he could fulfil his role of Imam’ate without fighting.