The INDIA bloc on Tuesday named former Supreme Court Judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9.
The announcement was made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi after a meeting of the alliance. Justice Reddy will file his nomination on August 21.
“He will file his nomination on August 21. Tomorrow, all opposition MPs are meeting in the Central Hall at 1 pm,” Kharge said.
TMC MP Derek O’Brien confirmed that all opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, are supporting the joint candidate.
Calling the Vice Presidential contest an “ideological battle,” Kharge thanked the united opposition for endorsing Justice Reddy’s candidature.
“B. Sudershan Reddy is one of India’s most distinguished and progressive jurists. He has had a long and eminent legal career, including as Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and Judge of the Supreme Court. He has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic, and political justice. His judgments show how he stood for the poor, protected the Constitution, and upheld fundamental rights,” Kharge said.
Born on July 8, 1946, Justice Reddy enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh in 1971. He served as Government Pleader in the High Court between 1988–90 and worked as Additional Standing Counsel for the Centre in 1990. He was appointed a permanent Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005, and Judge of the Supreme Court in 2008. He retired in 2011.
Justice Reddy will contest against NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan.
According to the Election Commission, the last date for filing nominations is August 21, while withdrawals can be made until August 25. Polling and counting will take place on September 9.
The Vice Presidential post became vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21 citing health reasons. The election will be conducted under Articles 64, 66, and 68 of the Constitution through proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and secret ballot.
-ANI