'Towering figure': Mallikarjun Kharge introduces B Sudershan Reddy; calls VP poll an ideological battle

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday introduced former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, the opposition’s vice-presidential candidate, as a “towering figure” in Indian jurisprudence. He said Reddy was celebrated for landmark judgments and his commitment to social, economic and political equality.

Kharge stressed that the upcoming vice-presidential election was not merely about occupying an office but an “ideological battle for the soul of the nation.” While the ruling party upheld the ideology of the RSS, he said, the Opposition stood firmly by the Constitution and its values.


“B Sudershan Reddy embodies the timeless values of justice, equality, and inclusivity that fuelled India’s freedom movement and form the bedrock of our Constitution,” Kharge said.

Formally introducing Reddy to leaders of various Opposition parties at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan (Old Parliament), Kharge said Reddy was chosen for his lifelong commitment to constitutional values.

He accused the BJP government of discriminating against the opposition for the past 11 years and alleged that bills were being rushed through Parliament without proper debate. “The Modi government has been passing bills hastily. The Speaker has also played a role in this by not allowing MPs to speak,” Kharge alleged.

The Congress chief added that Reddy’s nomination was a pledge to restore fairness, impartiality, and dignity to the Rajya Sabha, which he claimed had been in decline. He also criticised the government for introducing key bills at the end of sessions, leaving little scope for scrutiny, and accused it of misusing agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department to target Opposition leaders.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed Reddy, saying the country was witnessing a struggle between those defending the Constitution and those seeking to undermine it. He alleged that while the BJP had “stolen” elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, the public would now resist such attempts in Bihar.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal announced that a mock poll would be held on September 8 to prepare MPs ahead of the vice-presidential election scheduled for September 9.

The meeting was attended by several senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Ram Gopal Yadav, Tiruchi Siva, Sanjay Raut and Shatabdi Roy, along with other Opposition MPs.