The upcoming Vice-Presidential election on September 9, 2025, promises to be a gripping contest, with both candidates hailing from South India. The opposition INDIA Alliance has announced former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy as its candidate, a decision finalized during a meeting at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence. The alliance, aiming for a unified front, deliberated extensively to select a consensus candidate who embodies neutrality and stature.
Storied Legal Career
Born on July 8, 1946, in Akula Maylaram village, Ibrahimpatnam taluka (now Ranga Reddy district, Telangana), Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy hails from a humble farming family. He graduated with a law degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1971 and enrolled as an advocate with the Andhra Pradesh Bar Council. His legal journey began with practicing writ and civil cases at the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Reddy’s illustrious career includes serving as a government advocate in the Andhra Pradesh High Court from 1988 to 1990 and briefly as Additional Standing Counsel for the Central Government in 1990. He also acted as legal advisor and standing counsel for Osmania University. In 1995, he was appointed a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, later becoming Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005. His judicial ascent culminated in his appointment as a Supreme Court judge in 2007, serving until his retirement in 2011. In March 2013, Reddy took on the role of Goa’s first Lokayukta but resigned in September of the same year for personal reasons.
A Strategic Choice for the Opposition
The selection of Justice Reddy reflects a calculated move by the INDIA Alliance. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) pushed for a South Indian candidate, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) advocated for a non-political figure. Congress and other alliance partners sought a universally respected name, making Reddy’s nomination a perfect fit. His four-decade-long legal career and impeccable reputation as a jurist make him a formidable candidate in this high-stakes electoral battle.As the election approaches, all eyes are on this clash of Southern titans, with Justice Reddy’s candidacy adding a layer of gravitas to the contest.