August 19,2025: The INDIA bloc on Monday declared former Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the Vice-Presidential election scheduled on September 9, 2025. The announcement follows the ruling NDA’s decision to nominate Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, setting up a direct contest between the two alliances.
Justice Reddy, who served in the Supreme Court from 2005 until his retirement in 2011, is widely respected for his work on constitutional matters and governance-related cases. Leaders of the opposition alliance described his nomination as a step towards strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that the office of the Vice President remains impartial.
Announcing the candidature, senior INDIA bloc leaders said Justice Reddy’s judicial record and reputation for integrity made him a fitting choice for the role. “We are putting forward a name that reflects fairness, independence and constitutional commitment,” one leader said.
On the other hand, the NDA has fielded C P Radhakrishnan, a two-time BJP MP from Tamil Nadu and the present Governor of Maharashtra. Radhakrishnan has been associated with the party for decades and is considered a loyal and experienced political figure within the BJP. His nomination is expected to consolidate the ruling coalition’s majority support in Parliament.
The Vice-President of India is chosen by an electoral college made up of members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, who vote through a secret ballot using a single transferable voting system. With the NDA holding a clear majority in the Lok Sabha and a sizeable presence in the Upper House, Radhakrishnan is seen as the frontrunner.
Nevertheless, the INDIA bloc’s move is being viewed as a calculated effort to demonstrate unity among opposition parties and to put forward a credible name for one of the nation’s top constitutional offices. Political observers note that, even if the outcome is numerically predictable, the contest gives the opposition an opportunity to project collective strength ahead of several state elections.
Justice Sudershan Reddy, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, began his legal practice in the 1970s before rising through the ranks to become a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and later Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court. His elevation to the Supreme Court in 2005 marked a significant phase in his judicial career, during which he dealt with several landmark cases concerning transparency, accountability, and the Constitution. His background, the opposition has argued, makes him an ideal candidate to preside over the Rajya Sabha in the role of Vice President.
The election process will take place on September 9, and the counting of votes is expected to be completed the same day. The winner will assume office shortly before the term of the current Vice President ends in mid-September.
With both the INDIA bloc and the NDA finalising their candidates, the stage is set for a two-cornered fight. While the numbers favour Radhakrishnan, the nomination of Justice Reddy signals the opposition’s intent to contest every major political battle and to highlight the importance of constitutional values in public life.
