New Delhi, August 21(HS):

The opposition INDIA alliance is set for a crucial political showdown as its Vice-Presidential candidate, former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, files his nomination today for the upcoming Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9, 2025. The INDIA bloc is pitting Reddy against the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled Justice B Sudershan Reddy as the joint nominee, emphasizing that the contest represents not merely a political battle but an ideological one. Reddy, renowned as one of India's most distinguished and progressive jurists, has a storied five-decade legal career that includes appointments as judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Throughout his judicial tenure, he has been a steadfast advocate for social, economic, and political justice, frequently upholding the rights of the poor and protecting constitutional liberties.

The INDIA alliance sees Reddy's nomination as a symbol of firm commitment to democratic values and constitutional integrity. His career is marked by landmark rulings, including the landmark ban on the Salwa Judum militia, underscoring his courageous stance on human rights and justice.

Opposing him is CP Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader and current Governor of Maharashtra, with a broad political background including multiple terms as a Member of Parliament and leadership roles within the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Radhakrishnan filed his nomination earlier, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi acting as his first proposer, signaling robust support from the ruling NDA.

With key political leaders backing the two candidates, the Vice President election promises to be a defining moment, reflecting the broader ideological contest between the INDIA bloc and the NDA. The formal nomination process closes today, August 21, followed by scrutiny and the option for withdrawal by August 25, ahead of the polling scheduled for September 9.

This election follows the sudden resignation of the incumbent Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, earlier in July 2025, adding an element of urgency and heightened attention to this contest. The Vice President, elected by members of both houses of Parliament, plays a pivotal role as the Rajya Sabha Chairperson and as the constitutional successor to the President.

The nomination of B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge with a reputation for fairness and dedication to justice, highlights the INDIA bloc’s resolve to present a principled alternative to the NDA’s political establishment, setting the stage for a high-stakes election that transcends partisanship to focus on India’s democratic and constitutional ethos

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar