Fadnavis Seeks Support Of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar For NDA VP Candidate Radhakrishnan

Last Updated:August 21, 2025, 16:14 IST

Devendra Fadnavis seeks support from Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar for NDA’s vice presidential nominee CP Radhakrishnan.

Fadnavis Seeks Support Of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar For CP Radhakrishnan (FILE)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday reached out to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SCP) veteran Sharad Pawar to seek their support for the BJP-led NDA’s nominee for the vice presidential elections, CP Radhakrishnan.

Last week, the BJP announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as the NDA’s candidate for the Vice President, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar last month. The decision to nominate CP Radhakrishnan was taken unanimously during a key meeting of NDA floor leaders held at the residence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, with all leaders pledging their full backing for Radhakrishnan’s candidature.

Earlier on Monday, Fadnavis urged parties that speak of ‘Maharashtra Asmita’ to walk the talk by backing the NDA candidate, who is not only the state’s governor but also a registered voter from Mumbai.

“It is a moment of pride for the state. All parties, especially Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, who often talk about the pride of Maharashtra, should come forward and support the candidature of CP Radhakrishnan for the VP post," Fadnavis had said.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), voting for the key election will be held on September 9. Despite having the numbers to win the poll comfortably, the BJP is reaching out to opposition parties to ensure an unopposed election.

Meanwhile, the TDP, NDA’s ally, on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for Radhakrishnan and said there is “no ambiguity" in the matter. Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh, accompanied by senior TDP leaders and MPs, met the vice-presidential nominee in New Delhi to extend warm wishes on behalf of the party.

Who Is CP Radhakrishnan?

Radhakrishnan has previously served as a Member of Parliament and as Governor of Jharkhand and Telangana. Prime Minister Modi praised his “dedication, humility, and intellect", noting his long-standing grassroots work in Tamil Nadu.

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, who has been the Maharashtra Governor since July 31, 2024, had earlier also served as the Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.

Radhakrishnan has also served as a two-time MP from Coimbatore. Born on October 20, 1957, in Tamil Nadu’s Tirrupur, The BJP stalwart became the state committee member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the BJP’s precursor, in 1974. Before the Jan Sangh, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

In the year 1996, Radhakrishnan was appointed as the BJP Tamil Nadu secretary, following which he was elected as a Lok Sabha member from Coimbatore in 1998 and reelected again in 1999.

During his tenure as MP, he served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee and was also a member of the Parliamentary Committee for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the Consultative Committee for Finance. Radhakrishnan was also a member of the Parliamentary Special Committee investigating the Stock Exchange Scam.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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August 21, 2025, 16:14 IST

News politics Fadnavis Seeks Support Of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar For NDA VP Candidate Radhakrishnan

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