Joint Opposition’s VP Candidate Justice (Retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy Files Nomination
The Joint Opposition’s vice-presidential nominee and retired Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy formally filed his nomination papers on Thursday (August 21, 2025).
Justice Reddy emphasized that the election was not about one person but about reaffirming the democratic spirit of India.
He said it was about protecting the values envisioned by the founders, where Parliament works with integrity, dissent is respected, and institutions remain independent in serving the people.
The nomination was filed in the presence of several senior leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav, DMK’s Rajya Sabha leader Tiruchi Siva, and TMC’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Satabdi Roy.
A Pledge to Uphold Constitutional Values
After filing his nomination, Justice Reddy issued a statement reflecting on the significance of the moment.
“Today, I had the honour of filing my nomination papers for the office of the Vice-President of India as a joint candidate of the Opposition parties. I did so with a deep sense of humility, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.
He added that his public service has been grounded in democratic traditions, stressing that India’s true strength lies in individual dignity, constitutional morality, and unity in diversity.
He described his candidature as symbolic of a broader democratic vision and highlighted that “this election is not merely about one individual.”
Justice Reddy underlined the role of the Vice-President as Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, noting that the position carries the duty of safeguarding parliamentary democracy.
“If elected, I pledge to discharge that role with impartiality, dignity, and a steadfast commitment to dialogue and decorum,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Justice Reddy expressed gratitude to the Opposition alliance and citizens.
“I am deeply grateful to the leaders of the Opposition parties for reposing their trust in me, and to the countless citizens who continue to inspire this collective struggle for justice, equality, and harmony. With faith in our Constitution and hope in our people, I embark on this journey. May our democratic spirit continue to guide us all.”
Opposition vs NDA: The Contest Ahead
The election will be a direct contest between Justice Reddy, supported by the INDIA bloc, and the NDA’s nominee, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The Election Commission announced that polling for the Vice-Presidential election will be held on September 9, with counting on the same day. The last date for filing nominations was August 21, while withdrawals can be made until August 25.
The post of Vice-President became vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, citing health reasons.
The Vice-President is chosen by an electoral college comprising MPs from both Houses of Parliament. The Election Commission has also appointed two Additional Secretary-rank officers as Observers for the polls.
Amit Shah’s Criticism of Opposition Nominee
Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticized Justice Reddy during an event in Kerala. Shah accused him of “supporting Naxalism” because of his 2011 judgment on Salwa Judum, which declared the use of state-backed tribal militias in anti-Maoist operations “illegal” and “unconstitutional.”
“Sudershan Reddy is the person who helped Naxalism. He gave Salwa Judum judgment. If the Salwa Judum judgement had not been given, the Naxal terrorism would have ended by 2020,” Shah said.
He argued that Congress’s choice of candidate would further weaken its chances in Kerala.
In his 2011 ruling, Justice Reddy had ordered that tribal youths recruited as Special Police Officers under names such as Salwa Judum or Koya Commandos be disarmed immediately.
Shah on Laws, Opposition, and Electoral Rolls
Speaking at the Manorama News Conclave, Amit Shah also addressed questions about newly introduced bills in Parliament, which BJP described as anti-graft measures.
He said, “I have asked the people of the country in Parliament: do they want the Prime Minister to run the government from jail? What kind of debate is this? It is a question of morality.”
Shah referred to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and refusal to resign, arguing that the new law became necessary to prevent such situations.
He also recalled Rahul Gandhi tearing up the 2013 ordinance introduced by the UPA government, accusing Congress of double standards.
On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, Shah claimed Congress was creating unnecessary controversy.
He said the revision revealed 22 lakh names of deceased persons, raising concerns of bogus votes. “So, should their names be removed or not? It is a matter of common sense,” he argued.
A Heated Battle for Vice-Presidency
The upcoming election has turned into a heated contest, not only between the INDIA bloc and NDA but also over Justice Reddy’s judicial legacy and the political interpretations of his rulings.
While Justice Reddy called the contest a reaffirmation of India’s democratic values, Shah’s remarks highlighted how polarised the battle for the second-highest constitutional office has become.
