Sen. Bernie Sanders, a former Democratic presidential candidate, says Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is not promoting her most progressive policy positions so she has a better shot winning the election in November.

Sander, a Vermont Independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats and is among the most progressive members of the chamber, was asked Sunday on "Meet the Press" whether he thinks Harris has abandon some of most progressive stances.

"She has previously supported Medicare-For-All, now she does not," said show moderator Kristen Welker. "She’s previously supported a ban on fracking, now she does not. These, senator, are ideas that you have campaigned on. Do you think she is abandoning her progressive ideals?

Sander responded: "No, I don’t think she’s abandoning her ideals. I think she’s trying to be pragmatic and doing what she thinks is right in order to win the election."

Sanders also said he considers Harris a "progressive" despite her flip-flipping on certain issues as the Democratic presidential nominee, compared to her time as a U.S. senator from California.