Opposition names former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as Vice-Presidential candidate

New Delhi, August 19: The Opposition INDIA bloc has nominated former Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudershan Reddy (retd) as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, setting up a contest with the NDA nominee, CP Radhakrishnan, the Maharashtra Governor and a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu. The election is scheduled for September 9.

Here are five key facts about Justice Reddy (retd):

1. Early life and education: Born on July 8, 1946, into a farmer’s family in Akula Mylaram village of present-day Telangana’s Rangareddy district, Justice Reddy pursued his law degree at Osmania University, Hyderabad, graduating in 1971. He enrolled as an advocate with the Andhra Pradesh Bar Council and practiced primarily in writ and civil cases before the High Court.
2. Legal career before judgeship: He served as government pleader (1988–90), briefly worked as Additional Standing Counsel for the Centre (1990), and acted as legal adviser and standing counsel for Osmania University.
3. Judicial career: Appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995, he later became Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2007, where he served until his retirement in 2011.
4. Lokayukta of Goa: In March 2013, Justice Reddy was appointed as Goa’s first Lokayukta, though he resigned in September the same year citing personal reasons.
5. Opposition’s choice: His candidature was announced at a press conference attended by top Opposition leaders. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described him as “one of India’s most distinguished and progressive jurists” and a “courageous champion of social, economic, and political justice,” praising his commitment to the poor, the Constitution, and fundamental rights.

The last date for filing nominations is August 21, with scrutiny on August 22 and the withdrawal deadline on August 25. The election was necessitated by the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, officially attributed to health concerns, though sources suggest differences with the BJP leadership may have played a role in his early exit.