Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday urged all Members of Parliament from the state, particularly from opposition parties Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), to rally behind Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for Vice President of India. The appeal comes as Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with RSS roots, prepares to file his nomination, highlighting his status as a registered voter in Mumbai.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis emphasized the significance of Radhakrishnan’s candidacy for Maharashtra’s pride, or “asmita.” “Even though he hails from Tamil Nadu, he voted in Mumbai during last year’s assembly polls. His nomination as a Mumbai voter is a matter of great pride for our state,” Fadnavis said. He directly appealed to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, whose parties champion Maharashtra’s identity, to support Radhakrishnan, noting his role as the state’s governor.

The Vice Presidential electoral college comprises all 781 members of both Houses of Parliament, with Shiv Sena (UBT) holding nine Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha seats, and NCP (SP) controlling ten Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha seats. With the NDA commanding at least 422 votes—well above the majority mark of 391—Radhakrishnan’s victory appears assured, though the BJP is seeking a unanimous election. BJP president J.P. Nadda, following consultations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA allies, announced Radhakrishnan’s candidacy on Sunday, urging opposition parties to back the 67-year-old OBC leader and former Coimbatore MP.

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Earlier on Monday, Fadnavis visited Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai to extend his congratulations. At Mumbai airport, as Radhakrishnan departed for New Delhi, Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar presented him with a book of unpublished letters by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, symbolizing Maharashtra’s cultural pride, according to a Raj Bhavan release. The gesture underscored the state’s emotional investment in Radhakrishnan’s candidacy.

The BJP has been engaging opposition parties over the past week to build consensus, with Nadda pledging further outreach. Radhakrishnan’s nomination has sparked widespread discussion, with posts on X reflecting strong support from NDA leaders, though some opposition voices remain skeptical, citing political motivations. As the Vice Presidential election approaches, Fadnavis’s call for unity aims to bridge partisan divides, framing Radhakrishnan’s candidacy as a moment of pride for Maharashtra.

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