INDIA bloc's Vice-Presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy files nomination in Opposition's show of strength

Justice (retired) Reddy was joined by key INDIA bloc party representatives including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

The ex-judge was felicitated by the INDIA bloc party members on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, Rahul said, "We have to accept that it's the duty of the Opposition to provide an alternative vision, an alternative idea of India. It's a big responsibility. It's not the same responsibility we had 10-15 years ago because then the system was in place. Now it's gone.

"We have representatives from each state, each language, and each culture, and we should be proud of the leadership capabilities that we have. We are backing former Justice Sudershan Reddy ji, and I am confident that he will fight an extremely solid election, and the nation will see the message that we intend to deliver."

Kharge, who announced former judge Reddy's name on Tuesday, called the V-P election "an ideological battle".

"This Vice-Presidential contest is an ideological battle. All the opposition parties have agreed on this and that's why we are contesting unitedly," said Kharge.

"He has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic and political justice. He is a pro-poor man and many of his judgements favoured poor people and protected the Constitution and fundamental rights," the Congress chief also said.

B Sudershan Reddy felicitated by INDIA bloc leaders. Photo: Congress/X

CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate for the Vice-Presidential election, a day ago filed his nomination in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling coalition constituents.

Radhakrishnan's name was proposed for the nomination by the Prime Minister who was also joined by top BJP leaders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Janata Dal (United) MP Lalan Singh, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan were among the key allies of BJP present at the nomination filing of Radhakrishnan, who is currently serving as the Maharashtra Governor.

Weeks after Jagdeep Dhankhar shockingly resigned as the Vice President of India, the country's ruling coalition NDA picked Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the election to the post.

BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday announced Radhakrishnan's name after a parliamentary board meeting.

The seat fell vacant after Dhankhar stepped down from the post on the first day of the monsoon session on July 21 citing health issues.

The V-P poll will be held on September 9 and the result will be declared on the same day.

Though the INDIA bloc decides to fight the poll, the ruling coalition is expected to sail through with its numbers.