New Delhi: Opposition the INDIA bloc has decided to field former Supreme Court judge Justice (retired) B Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for Vice Presidential election taking place on September 9.
Justice Sudershan Reddy, who was the first Lokayukta of Goa, will take on NDA’s candidate CP Radhakrishnan, Maharashtra Governor and BJP veteran.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced the INDIA bloc's decision after what is reported several rounds of discussion with leaders suggesting names including former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai and Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson and author Tushar Gandhi, before eventually pinning down on Justice Sudershan Reddy.
Responding to the Opposition’s decision, Justice Sudershan Reddy said he was happy after being nominated by parties that represent more than 60 per cent of the country's population.
‘My job is to offer my candidature, appeal to all members of Parliament to consider my candidature. Nobody can predict the result of any election. I don't indulge in soothsaying or astrology,’ Justice Reddy was quoted as saying.
When asked about if the election is South vs South contest he said ‘Incidentally, both of us are from the South. India is one. We are Indians first and Indians last.’
Began as an advocate in 1971, Justice Reddy who was born in Andhra Pradesh's Rangareddy district, went on to practice in the Andhra Pradesh High Court before being appointed as a high court judge in 1995.
The eminent jurist, who was appointed as the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court in 2005, became a Supreme Court judge in January 2007 and retired in July 2011.
The BJP seemingly has an edge over the Opposition as the electoral college comprising members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elects the next the Vice President.