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.
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 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 Date: September 9
Nomination Deadline: August 21
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.
A police constable in Nawada, Bihar sustained a leg fracture after falling near Rahul Gandhi’s…
Nationwide E20 Rollout Slashes Emissions and Fuel Imports, But Brings Risks for Engines, Farmers, and…
The bill targets real-money gaming, aiming to prevent addiction, money laundering, and unchecked financial transactions.…
Russia calls US sanctions on India “unjustified” and offers expanded trade opportunities as tariff tensions…
Relentless Monsoon Downpours Trigger Landslides, Floods, and Emergency Responses Across Maharashtra Maharashtra is grappling with severe monsoon disruptions…
To shield its textile industry from the fallout of increased US tariffs, India suspends cotton…