Who is B. Sudarshan Reddy? INDIA Bloc’s Pick for Vice President- 5 Key Facts You Must Know

National News: The upcoming Vice Presidential election on September 9 promises to be a keenly watched contest. While the NDA has fielded Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate, the INDIA alliance has put forward the name of former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy. Interestingly, both leaders hail from South India, making the battle even more significant in the current political context.

The decision to nominate Justice (Retd.) Sudarshan Reddy was taken at a crucial meeting held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, where alliance partners deliberated and agreed on fielding a joint candidate. Known for his four-decade-long legal career and reputation for upholding constitutional values, Justice Reddy’s candidature is being seen as an attempt by the opposition bloc to give the election an ideological edge.

Five Big Things to Know About B. Sudarshan Reddy

1. Born in Telangana in a Farmer’s Family

B. Sudarshan Reddy was born on 8 July 1946 in a farmer family in Akula Mylaram village, Ibrahimpatnam taluka, Rangareddy district, now part of Telangana. His humble rural roots shaped his perspective on justice and equity.

2. Law Graduate from Osmania University

In 1971, he obtained his law degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad and enrolled in the Andhra Pradesh Bar Council. He initially practiced in writ and civil cases at the Andhra Pradesh High Court, gradually building a name for himself in constitutional and administrative matters.

3. Government Lawyer and Legal Advisor

Between 1988 and 1990, Reddy worked as a government pleader in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, where he handled several key constitutional and civil matters on behalf of the state. He also briefly worked as additional standing counsel for the Centre and served as legal advisor and standing counsel for Osmania University.

4. Judicial Journey to the Supreme Court

Reddy became a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995. In 2005, Reddy was elevated as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and just two years later, in 2007, he took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, where he served with distinction until his retirement in 2011.

5. First Lokayukta of Goa

In March 2013, Justice (Retd.) Reddy was appointed the first Lokayukta of Goa, an institution tasked with investigating corruption cases. However, he resigned in September 2013, citing personal reasons.

A Contest of Ideologies

With CP Radhakrishnan representing the NDA and Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy fielded by the INDIA bloc, the upcoming Vice Presidential election is emerging not merely as a political contest but as a clash of ideologies — pitting Radhakrishnan’s long administrative and political experience against Reddy’s reputation for judicial integrity and constitutional values.