Ex-SC Judge B Sudarshan Reddy is INDIA bloc's Vice President nominee

Former Supreme Court Judge B Sudarshan Reddy is picked as the INDIA bloc's nominee for the upcoming Vice Presidential elections, scheduled to take place on September 9. 

The name was announced by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge during a press conference on Tuesday. Kharge said that Reddy is one of the most "distinguished and progressive jurists" of India. 

He stated, "He has had a long and eminent legal career, including as a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court, and Judge of the Supreme Court." 

After retiring as a Supreme Court Judge in 2011, Reddy was appointed as Goa's first Lokayukta (first anti-corruption ombudsman of the state) in 2013.  

Kharge added that Reddy has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic, and political justice, saying, "He is a poor man, and many judgments, if you read, will know how he favored the poor people and also protected the Constitution and fundamental rights." 

Kharge also revealed further details, saying that Reddy will file his nomination for the elections on August 21. After which, all Opposition MPs will gather for a meeting in the Central Hall around 1 pm. 

The Congress President called the Vice-Presidential election "an ideological battle". He said, "All the opposition parties agreed on this, and this is the reason we have nominated B Sudarshan Reddy as the joint candidate." 

This Vice Presidential contest is an ideological battle.

All Opposition parties have nominated Shri B. Sudershan Reddy garu as their joint candidate for the position of the Vice President of India.

Shri B. Sudershan Reddy garu is one of India’s most distinguished and… pic.twitter.com/FD98YJhJMA

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) August 19, 2025

Rahul Gandhi also reshared Mallikarjun Kharge's post on X, writing, "I warmly congratulate Shri B. Sudarshan Reddy Garu on being nominated as the joint Opposition candidate for the Vice President of India. A distinguished jurist and champion of justice, he represents the spirit of the Constitution - safeguarding people's rights, equality, and our Democracy. We stand united in this ideological battle and wish him all the very best."  

Talking about Reddy's nomination, TMC MP Derek O'Brien said, "All opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, are on board."