Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said he had personally spoken with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar to seek their support for NDA candidate and current Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan in the upcoming Vice Presidential elections.
Fadnavis said that he approached both senior leaders with the appeal of keeping Maharashtra’s pride in mind since Radhakrishnan currently serves as the state’s Governor. “I spoke to Uddhav Thackeray ji and Sharad Pawar ji and requested them to support Maharashtra Governor’s candidature for Vice Presidential elections,” he told reporters.
According to the CM, Thackeray responded by saying he would hold discussions within his party and then convey a decision. Pawar, however, made it clear that the Opposition bloc has already decided to stand by its own nominee. “Sharad Pawar ji said that he will have to go with the candidate fielded by the Opposition,” Fadnavis said.
The Vice Presidential election has sharpened the political divide between the ruling NDA and the INDIA bloc. While the NDA has projected Radhakrishnan as its candidate, the Opposition is expected to field its own nominee, setting the stage for a keen contest.
Fadnavis maintained that despite political differences, he hoped parties from Maharashtra would unite behind the state’s Governor in recognition of his service and contribution. His outreach to Thackeray and Pawar highlights the BJP’s attempt to consolidate broader support for Radhakrishnan ahead of the August 20 nomination filing.
