B Sudershan Reddy Finds Allies Beyond INDIA Bloc

Opposition Vice Presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy expressed gratitude for unexpected support from beyond the INDIA bloc, signaling a potential upset in the September 9 election against NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan. Speaking at a press conference at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow alongside SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders, Reddy appealed to MPs across party lines to back his candidacy based on “merit and principle.” “I’m deeply grateful that not only the INDIA alliance but also people outside it are coming forward to help,” he said, crediting Yadav for his pivotal role, though he kept the identities of these external supporters undisclosed.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, present at the event, hinted at strategic surprises, telling PTI, “We have some surprises up our sleeve to embarrass the BJP.” Rai condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s accusation that Reddy supported Naxalism through his 2011 Supreme Court ruling against Salwa Judum, calling it an insult to the judiciary.

Reddy, who served on the bench that deemed the use of tribal youths as Special Police Officers unconstitutional, dismissed Shah’s claims as a narrative-building attempt, refusing to engage further. “I’ve said what needed to be said,” he stated, emphasizing the Vice President’s role as a non-political, constitutional office.

Reddy invoked the legacy of past Vice Presidents like Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr K R Narayanan, pledging to uphold constitutional values. He expressed concern about constitutional institutions being “under influence” and urged them to realign with their mandates. Reflecting on his roots, Reddy cited influences like Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Mulayam Singh Yadav, humorously noting his efforts to speak Hindi in northern states like Uttar Pradesh.

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The election, framed as a “south versus south” contest between Telangana’s Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, and Tamil Nadu’s Radhakrishnan, a BJP veteran, follows Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent resignation. Despite the NDA’s numerical edge, Rai claimed growing support for Reddy, fueled by public frustration with the BJP’s alleged undermining of constitutional values.

Reddy’s meetings with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin underscore his outreach efforts. As the campaign intensifies, the opposition’s united front and unexpected alliances could challenge the NDA’s dominance in this ideological battle.

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