The Opposition’s INDIA bloc on Tuesday declared former Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, framing the contest against the NDA as an “ideological fight” to safeguard the Constitution.
Congress MP KC Venugopal said the bloc’s decision was rooted in defending democratic values. “This is an ideological fight… We are fighting to save the Constitution,” he said, questioning the sudden resignation of outgoing Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
DMK MP Kanimozhi echoed the sentiment, arguing that the Opposition had united to field a candidate who respects constitutional values, in contrast to the BJP nominee “with an RSS background.”
Other leaders, including Congress MPs Syed Naseer Hussain, K Suresh, and Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, praised Reddy’s track record as a jurist who consistently upheld social justice. “It will be a great election to save the Constitution,” Yadav said.
The announcement also received support from the YSR Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, with RSP MP NK Premachandran calling it “a political and ideological contest between the NDA and the INDIA alliance.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge confirmed that Justice Reddy would file his nomination on August 21. “He is one of India’s most distinguished and progressive jurists… At a time when constitutional values are under assault, our united stand reflects our resolve,” Kharge said.
Justice Reddy, who earlier served as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2008, retired in July 2011. He will contest against the NDA’s nominee CP Radhakrishnan.
The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for September 9, with counting to take place the same day.