The opposition INDIA alliance on Tuesday has announced former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, scheduled for September 9, 2025. The decision was announces during a joint press conference led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who framed the contest as an "ideological battle" against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NDA has nominated Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader with ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for the same post. Flanked by NCP-SP Chief Sharad Pawar by his side, along with Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien amongst others, Kharge called it an achievement of the opposition to have unitedly decided on Justice Reddy’s candidature, hailing him as one of India’s most “distinguished and progressive jurists”.
"This is an ideological fight to uphold the values of justice and democracy," Kharge declared, underscoring Reddy’s legal career marked by a commitment to social, economic, and political justice. Reddy, born in Andhra Pradesh, served as a Supreme Court judge from 2007 to 2011, after being Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and a judge at the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He also held the position of Goa’s first Lokayukta, earning a reputation for defending constitutional values and fundamental rights.
The Vice-Presidential election follows the unexpected resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns. With nominations due by August 21, the INDIA bloc’s decision to field Reddy signals a determination to challenge the NDA’s dominance. The electoral college, comprising 781 MPs from both houses of Parliament, votes via a secret ballot using a single transferable vote system. The NDA, with support from at least 422 MPs, including allies like the YSR Congress Party, holds a clear numerical advantage, making Radhakrishnan’s victory likely.
Despite the odds, the INDIA alliance’s choice of Reddy reflects a strategic move to project unity and counter the NDA’s narrative. Kharge noted that the opposition’s decision was supported by all coalition partners, including the Aam Aadmi Party, which is not formally part of the bloc. Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien echoed this sentiment, stating, "All opposition parties are on board including the AAP."
The nomination of Reddy, a non-political figure with a progressive judicial record, also serves as a counter to the NDA’s selection of Radhakrishnan, a Tamil Nadu native, which was seen as an attempt to appeal to regional sentiments ahead of the state’s 2026 polls. While the DMK had urged the INDIA bloc to field a Tamil Nadu candidate, Reddy’s Andhra Pradesh roots add a regional dimension to the contest. “He reflects our freedom struggle and the constitutional values… he has always safeguarded them”, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh added.
