The Opposition bloc has formally announced former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, setting the stage for a high-profile contest against the ruling NDA’s nominee, CP Radhakrishnan. The election, scheduled for September 9, comes at a crucial juncture as both camps mobilize their forces to showcase unity and strength. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while making the announcement, said that all INDIA bloc parties had unanimously agreed on Reddy’s name, calling it a “big achievement for democracy” and a show of Opposition solidarity.

Justice Sudershan Reddy brings with him decades of judicial and administrative experience. Born in 1946, he began his legal career in 1971 and went on to serve as government pleader in the Andhra Pradesh High Court before being appointed as a permanent judge in 1995. His career trajectory saw him rise to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005 and then to the Supreme Court of India in 2007, where he served until 2011. Post-retirement, he briefly took charge as the first Lokayukta of Goa in 2013. With such a vast body of legal and judicial service, the Opposition is projecting Reddy as a symbol of integrity, experience, and independence—qualities it says are vital for the role of Vice President.

On the other side, the NDA has fielded CP Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and the current Governor of Maharashtra. At 67, Radhakrishnan carries strong political credentials and the backing of the NDA’s comfortable majority in the electoral college of MPs from both Houses of Parliament. While Radhakrishnan is seen as the frontrunner due to the ruling alliance’s numerical advantage, the Opposition’s decision to contest with a unanimous candidate ensures that the Vice-Presidential election will be more than just a formality—it will serve as a political statement on unity, democracy, and the balance of power in Parliament.