New Delhi: The Opposition INDIA bloc has announced former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, setting the stage for a contest against the BJP-led NDA nominee, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan. The election is scheduled for 9 September.
In a joint statement, the Opposition described Justice Reddy as “one of India’s most distinguished and progressive jurists” who has consistently championed social, economic and political justice. Leaders said his candidature reflected the values of the freedom movement and the Constitution, which they claimed are under strain in the present political environment.
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
Justice Reddy earned his law degree from Osmania University in 1971 and began practising in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, focusing on writ and civil matters. He also served as government pleader between 1988 and 1990 and briefly worked as Additional Standing Counsel for the central government.
His judicial career began in 1995 when he was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. A decade later, he was elevated as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, before joining the Supreme Court bench in January 2007.
He retired in July 2011 but continued to take on significant responsibilities, including serving as the oversight authority for the Comprehensive Environmental Plan for Mining Impact Zone in Karnataka, appointed by the apex court in 2022.
Justice Reddy also briefly served as the first Lokayukta of Goa in 2013, though he resigned within months, citing personal reasons.
The Vice Presidential election became necessary after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post last month, citing health concerns, though reports suggested differences with the BJP leadership.
With Radhakrishnan positioned as the ruling party’s candidate and Reddy carrying the Opposition’s united backing, the upcoming contest is being viewed as an ideological face-off rather than a conventional election.
The deadline for filing nominations is 21 August, with scrutiny set for 22 August and withdrawal allowed until 25 August.
