Sharad Pawar Rejects NDA VP Candidate Support Request

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Mumbai, India, August 23, 202.5. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) president Sharad Pawar has firmly declined a request from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to support the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) vice-presidential nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan. Pawar confirmed that his party will instead back Opposition candidate Sudarshan Reddy in the upcoming vice-presidential election.

According to Pawar, Fadnavis personally reached out to him on Thursday evening to seek cooperation for the ruling coalition’s candidate. However, Pawar made it clear that the NCP (SP) could not align itself with the NDA’s choice. “The Chief Minister called me regarding their nominee, but I informed him that our party does not share their political ideology. We cannot extend support to Mr. Radhakrishnan,” Pawar told reporters.

The decision underscores the Opposition’s continuing effort to present a unified front against the NDA’s dominance in Parliament. Pawar said his party will join other Opposition forces in backing Sudarshan Reddy, a former parliamentarian from Andhra Pradesh known for his longstanding ties with several regional leaders.

By consolidating support around a single Opposition nominee, parties opposed to the NDA aim to send a political message, even though the NDA holds a numerical advantage in the electoral college. The vice-presidential election is set to take place later this month, and while the NDA candidate is widely expected to win, the Opposition’s stance highlights growing tensions ahead of the 2026 general election.

Pawar was categorical in stating that the choice was based on principle, not political maneuvering. “This is not about individuals. It is about ideology. Our party cannot compromise on its core beliefs, and therefore, we will stand with the Opposition’s candidate,” he said.

His remarks are in line with the NCP (SP)’s broader strategy of distancing itself from the NDA and seeking stronger alliances with regional and national Opposition parties. Political observers note that Pawar, known for his calculated political moves, is sending a signal that his faction intends to play a central role in shaping the Opposition’s roadmap.

C.P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s vice-presidential nominee, is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Tamil Nadu. He has previously served as a Member of Parliament and is recognized for his close ties to the party’s national leadership.

Sudarshan Reddy, meanwhile, is being promoted by the Opposition as a consensus candidate. While he may not have the NDA’s institutional backing, his candidacy represents an attempt to bring together diverse political voices under one banner.

The vice-presidential election will be conducted by an electoral college composed of members of both houses of Parliament. Given the NDA’s majority, Radhakrishnan’s victory remains the most likely outcome. However, Opposition leaders argue that even symbolic resistance is important to demonstrate unity against the ruling alliance.

Political analysts say Pawar’s rejection of Fadnavis’ request reflects a deepening divide in Maharashtra politics, where the BJP and its allies continue to face pushback from rival parties. For Pawar, aligning with the Opposition offers both political leverage and a chance to reinforce his position as a senior statesman in national politics.