New Delhi: The Opposition’s INDIA bloc has officially named retired Supreme Court judge Justice Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, setting the stage for a head-to-head contest with the NDA’s nominee, CP Radhakrishnan.
The announcement was made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday, following a consensus among all INDIA bloc member parties.
This Vice Presidential contest is an ideological battle.
All Opposition parties have nominated Shri B. Sudershan Reddy garu as their joint candidate for the position of the Vice President of India.
Shri B. Sudershan Reddy garu is one of India’s most distinguished and… pic.twitter.com/FD98YJhJMA
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) August 19, 2025
Who is Justice Sudershan Reddy?
Born in July 1946, Justice Reddy began his legal practice in 1971 after enrolling with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh. He served as a government pleader in the Andhra Pradesh High Court from 1988 to 1990 and briefly represented the Central government as additional standing counsel. He was also legal adviser to Osmania University.
Justice Reddy was appointed a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995 and later became the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court in 2005. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India in 2007 and served until his retirement in 2011. In 2013, he briefly held the role of Goa’s first Lokayukta, stepping down after seven months due to personal reasons.
The Upcoming Contest: Reddy vs Radhakrishnan
The ruling NDA had earlier announced C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra and a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, as its Vice-Presidential candidate. With the NDA holding a comfortable majority in Parliament, Radhakrishnan is widely expected to win.
Still, the INDIA bloc’s decision to field Justice Reddy signals a symbolic stand for democratic plurality, aiming to challenge the ruling alliance’s dominance and highlight institutional independence.
Election Timeline and Background
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Election Date: September 9
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Nomination Deadline: August 21
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Vacancy Reason: The position became vacant following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, citing health issues.
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, with the NDA currently enjoying majority strength in both Houses.
