'Can't support those who don't believe in democracy': Sharad Pawar refuses to back CP Radhakrishnan as VP; cites Jharkhand anecdote

NEW DELHI: NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday declined to support Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan in the upcoming vice-presidential elections despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's request.

Pawar said that that his party does not align with Radhakrishnan's ideology and recalled how he "misused power" as Jharkhand governor to arrest chief minister Hemant Soren in Raj Bhavan.


"Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis urged us to support the NDA’s VP candidate, CP Radhakrishnan, as he is the governor of Maharashtra. It is not possible as he does not align with our ideology," Pawar said.

"Also, CP Radhakrishnan was the Governor of Jharkhand. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested during his visit to the Raj Bhavan by central agencies. CM requested that he should not be arrested in Raj Bhavan. He will come out and surrender. But his request was not considered. This is how the power was misused. Thus, we cannot support those who do not believe in democracy," he added.

CM Fadnavis had earlier told the reporters that he had called up both Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray seeking the support of their parties, citing that NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan is the Maharashtra governor.

Radhakrishnan was selected as the NDA's Vice Presidential candidate on Sunday. The announcement was made by BJP President J.P. Nadda during a press conference following the party's Parliamentary Board meeting held in the national capital.

Radhakrishnan has previously served as a Member of Parliament and as Governor of Jharkhand and Telangana. A veteran BJP leader, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore twice and previously served as the Tamil Nadu BJP State President.