A Contest Set for September
As India heads toward the Vice-Presidential election scheduled on September 9, political attention has sharpened on what promises to be an intensive and closely contested race. While the ruling NDA has fielded its candidate, CP Radhakrishnan, the Opposition alliance — the INDIA bloc — has chosen a heavyweight in the form of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy (Retd), a respected jurist and former Supreme Court judge.
With this nomination, the INDIA bloc has signaled that the contest is not just about numbers in the Electoral College but an ideological duel between two political camps seeking to shape India’s democratic future.
The Opposition’s Unanimous Choice
Announcing the candidate, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the election as more than a procedural formality. “This is an ideological battle. Democratic values are under siege, and all INDIA bloc parties have unanimously agreed to back one name,” he said.
Justice Reddy’s candidature, Kharge emphasized, combines judicial experience with a lifelong commitment to justice and fairness. By picking him, the Opposition hopes to consolidate its stance against what it perceives as the NDA’s growing dominance in constitutional institutions.
Justice Sudershan Reddy: From Farmer’s Son to Supreme Court Bench
Born on July 8, 1946, in a farmer’s family in Akula Mylaram village of Rangareddy district (now in Telangana), Reddy’s journey epitomizes hard work and perseverance. After earning a law degree from Osmania University, he began practice in 1971, specializing in writ and civil matters in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
His early career saw him serve as government pleader in the late 1980s, followed by brief stints as standing counsel for the central government and Osmania University. Reddy was elevated as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995 and became Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005. Two years later, he entered the Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in 2011. Notably, in 2013, he was appointed Goa’s first Lokayukta, though he resigned later the same year citing personal reasons.
Strategy Behind the Nomination
Beyond credentials, political calculation has played a role in the INDIA bloc’s choice. Opposition leaders believe Justice Reddy’s roots in Telangana could exert pressure on NDA allies in Andhra Pradesh, particularly Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena. While the YSRCP and BRS had initially supported the NDA nominee, sources indicate they may face renewed pressure to reconsider.
The bloc also factored in regional representation. The NDA’s candidate Radhakrishnan, hailing from Tamil Nadu, was seen as an attempt to attract southern parties. By picking Reddy, the Opposition has responded in kind, while also fulfilling DMK’s demand for a South Indian nominee and TMC’s preference for an apolitical figure.
A Candidate Who Appeals Across Party Lines
Speaking after his nomination, Justice Reddy appealed to all parties, including those within the NDA fold. “I represent nearly 60 percent of India through the support of the Opposition. I humbly request every party to stand with me for the larger democratic good,” he said.
His words suggest that the Opposition is keen to pitch this contest as one above partisan politics — a choice between safeguarding institutions and conceding ground to ruling majorities.
An Election Beyond Numbers
While the NDA enjoys numerical strength, the INDIA bloc’s move ensures that the Vice-Presidential election will not be a one-sided affair. Instead, it will serve as a platform for the Opposition to articulate its concerns over democratic values, institutional independence, and federal balance.
A Test for Indian Democracy
As the countdown begins, the September 9 Vice-Presidential election is shaping into more than a ceremonial vote. It reflects the deepening political polarization and the Opposition’s determination to register its resistance symbolically, if not numerically.
Justice Sudershan Reddy’s candidacy embodies both personal integrity and collective Opposition resolve. Regardless of the outcome, the contest underscores the vitality of debate and dissent in India’s democracy. In that sense, this election is not just about who occupies the Vice President’s chair — it is about reaffirming the spirit of democratic choice in the world’s largest democracy.
(With agency inputs)
