Fadnavis Seeks Pawar, Thackeray Backing for NDA’s VP Candidate

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reached out to NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, seeking their support for the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) vice-presidential candidate, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, ahead of the September 9, 2025, election. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also contacted Thackeray, reinforcing the NDA’s appeal for support, according to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.

The NDA has nominated Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with RSS roots, while the opposition INDIA bloc has fielded former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy, setting up a South India-centric contest for the vice-presidential post. Fadnavis emphasized Radhakrishnan’s connection to Maharashtra, noting that he is a registered voter in Mumbai and voted in the 2024 state assembly elections. “It is a matter of pride for Maharashtra. I urge all MPs, especially those championing Maharashtra’s pride, to support him,” Fadnavis said, appealing to regional sentiment.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Congress, forms part of the INDIA bloc. Shiv Sena (UBT) holds nine Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha seats, while NCP (SP) has ten Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha members, making their support potentially significant in the 781-member electoral college, where 391 votes are needed for a majority. Despite the NDA’s strong backing of at least 422 MPs, Fadnavis and Singh’s outreach suggests an effort to secure a broader consensus, possibly to ensure an unopposed election.

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Sanjay Raut acknowledged the calls, stating, “It’s their job to seek support. A decision will be made collectively within the INDIA bloc.” He remained non-committal, citing Radhakrishnan’s NDA affiliation and the need for alliance consensus. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar have already extended their support to Radhakrishnan, praising his experience as governor. The opposition’s response remains uncertain, with some MVA leaders questioning Radhakrishnan’s contributions to Maharashtra.

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