Opposition Fields Ex-SC Judge Sudershan Reddy for Vice-Presidential Polls

The Opposition INDIA bloc on Tuesday named former Supreme Court judge Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. He will take on the NDA nominee, CP Radhakrishnan, in a contest set for September 9.

Reddy, who also served as Goa’s first Lokayukta, was announced as the joint candidate by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who said the decision was taken unanimously by all INDIA bloc parties. “I am happy that all opposition parties have agreed to one name. It is a big achievement for democracy,” Kharge said.

The NDA had earlier announced Radhakrishnan, 67, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and the current Maharashtra governor, as its pick for Vice President.

With the BJP-led NDA holding a clear majority in the electoral college of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, Radhakrishnan is seen as the frontrunner. However, the Opposition’s move ensures a contest.

The VP election was necessitated after incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned suddenly on July 21 citing health reasons. Nominations close on August 21.