New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) In a show of unity, leaders of the INDIA bloc today unanimously agreed to field former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as a consensus candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election.
Addressing a press conference at his official residence here, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the nomination of Justice B Sudershan Reddy, as the joint Opposition candidate.
Describing the Vice Presidential contest as an “ideological battle”, Kharge emphasised the importance of standing together to defend the values enshrined in India’s Constitution.
“This Vice Presidential contest is an ideological battle and all the Opposition parties agreed on this and that’s why we are contesting unitedly. The Opposition parties have nominated B Sudershan Reddy as their joint candidate since he reflects fully and values that saved our country’s freedom movement,” Kharge said.
The Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition said, “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 Gauhati High Court, and judge of the Supreme Court. He has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic and political justice”.
Kharge said that throughout his career, Reddy has been a steadfast advocate for social, economic, and political justice. Adding that since “all these values were under assault” so it was the collective and determined resolve of the Opposition to fight this election.
Justice B Sudershan Reddy, born on July 8, 1946, began his legal career after enrolling as an advocate with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh on December 27, 1971. He practiced primarily in civil and writ matters at the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Between 1988 and 1990, he served as Government Pleader in the High Court, and briefly held the position of Additional Standing Counsel for the Central Government for six months in 1990. He also served as Legal Adviser and Standing Counsel for Osmania University.
His judicial career began with his appointment as a permanent Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on May 2, 1995. In December 2005, he was elevated as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and subsequently appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on January 12, 2007.
Justice Reddy will contest the Vice Presidential election against the NDA’s nominee, CP Radhakrishnan.
The Vice Presidential election is scheduled for September 9, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health-related reasons.
