Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis seeks Opposition backing for Radhakrishnan

On Monday, speaking to the media in Mumbai, Fadnavis urged parties that speak of ‘Maharashtra Asmita’ to walk the talk by backing candidate CP Radhakrishnan, 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 said.

Earlier in the day, Radhakrishnan visited Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The electoral college for the post of vice-president of India consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). 

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

While Thackeray and Pawar have not yet reacted to the development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have said such posts should not be politicised. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior UBT leader said, “Ideally, for such a post, the candidate should be elected unopposed. But Uddhavji will take the final call on the issue.”