Who is B Sudershan Reddy? INDIA bloc's nominee for VP polls

NEW DELHI: The opposition INDIA alliance on Tuesday named former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate for the Vice Presidential election.

Announcing the decision, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “This vice-presidential contest is an ideological battle, and all the opposition parties agreed on this, and this is the reason we have nominated B. Sudershan Reddy as the joint candidate.” He confirmed that the nomination will be filed on 21 August, with a meeting of all opposition MPs scheduled in the Central Hall the following day.

"B. Sudershan Reddy is one of India's most distinguished and progressive jurists. He has had a long and eminent legal career, including as judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court, Chief Justice of Guwahati high court and Judge of the Supreme Court. He has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic and political justice. He is a poor man and many judgments if you read, will know that how he favoured the poor people and also protected the Constitution and fundamental rights," he added.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien added that all parties in the bloc, including the Aam Aadmi Party, had backed the choice.

Who is B Sudershan Reddy ?

• Was born on 8 July 1946 and holds a B.A. and LL.B. degree.
• Enrolled as an advocate at Hyderabad with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh on 27 December 1971.
• Practised mainly in writ and civil matters before the Andhra Pradesh high court.
• Served as Government Pleader in the Andhra Pradesh high court between 1988 and 1990.
• Worked briefly as Additional Standing Counsel for the Central Government in 1990.
• Acted as Legal Adviser and Standing Counsel for Osmania University.
• Was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on May 2, 1995.
• Became the Chief Justice of the Gauhati high court on December 5, 2005.
• Was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on January 12, 2007.
• He retired from the Supreme Court on July 8, 2011.
• Became the first Lokayukta of Goa in March 2013 but resigned within seven months citing personal reasons

The vice-presidential election, come following the the sudden resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar last month and it is scheduled for September 9. The last date for filing nominations is August 21.

The Vice President is elected by MPs from both houses of Parliament through a secret ballot and proportional representation, as per Article 66(1) of the Constitution.