New Delhi, August 19:
The Opposition INDIA bloc has announced former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, setting the stage for a high-stakes ideological battle against the ruling BJP’s nominee, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The election, necessitated by the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar last month, is being framed by both sides as more than just a constitutional formality—rather, as a contest of values that will shape India’s democratic trajectory.
Opposition’s Statement: “An Ideological Battle”
In a joint declaration, the INDIA bloc described Justice Reddy as “one of India’s most distinguished and progressive jurists” with a judicial career marked by courage, constitutional vision, and a commitment to social and economic justice.
“The Vice Presidential contest is an ideological battle. Shri B. Sudershan Reddy garu has been nominated as our joint candidate because he embodies the values of India’s freedom movement, the principles of the Constitution, and the spirit of democracy—all of which are under assault today. Our collective resolve is to fight this election to safeguard those ideals,” the statement read.
Born in July 1946, Justice Reddy began his legal journey after enrolling as an advocate in Hyderabad on December 27, 1971. His early practice focused on writ jurisdiction and civil matters before the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
• Government Pleader (1988–1990): Represented the state in key matters.
• Additional Standing Counsel for Union of India (1990): Briefly served the central government.
• Judge, Andhra Pradesh High Court (1995): Appointed permanent judge on May 2, 1995.
• Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court (2005): Elevated on December 5, 2005.
• Judge, Supreme Court of India (2007–2011): Appointed on January 12, 2007, and served until retirement on July 8, 2011.
Justice Reddy was widely respected for his progressive rulings and his keen emphasis on social and economic rights under the Constitution.
Even after his retirement, Justice Reddy remained active in public causes. In 2022, the Supreme Court appointed him as the oversight authority for the Comprehensive Environmental Plan for Mining Impact Zone (CEPMIZ) in Karnataka. His role was crucial in monitoring the ecological impact of large-scale mining and ensuring compliance with environmental safeguards.
The Vice Presidential election will see a head-to-head contest between Justice Reddy and BJP’s candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan. While the ruling NDA enjoys a numerical edge in Parliament, the Opposition bloc has sought to frame the contest as symbolic, projecting it as a referendum on the values of justice, equality, and constitutional morality.
If elected, Justice Reddy would be only the third former Supreme Court judge to occupy the Vice Presidential chair, underscoring the legal fraternity’s enduring influence in the higher constitutional offices of the country.
