Opposition V-P pick B Sudershan Reddy interview: ‘I am a liberal Constitutional democrat … will run a dignified campaign’
"I have immense faith in the Constitution and its values. The values include liberty, equality and fraternity. Ours is a multicultural, multilinguistic, multireligious society," says former Supreme Court judge.
INDIA alliance leaders, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar and others, while declaring Supreme Court retired judge G Sudarshan Reddy as the alliance's Vice Presidential candidate in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
Former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy says he is not non-political but a liberal constitutional democrat. Hours after he was declared the INDIA bloc’s Vice-President candidate, Reddy tells The Indian Express that his side of the aisle represents 63 to 64% of India’s population. The former judge, who hails from Telangana, says he is happy with his candidature and will run a dignified campaign for the post. He also says safeguarding constitutional values is a must because Indian society is multicultural, multilingual, and multireligious.
Excerpts:
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* What was your first reaction when you heard that you are the V-P candidate for the INDIA bloc?
The first reaction is that I was happy. The INDIA bloc represents more than 63% or 64% of India’s population. I was happy that they chose a non-party man. I do not belong to any political party. Therefore, I have accepted the call. And from Wednesday onwards, people will see that it is a dignified contest between candidates.
* When were you informed that you would be the INDIA bloc’s candidate and who broke the news to you?
I got the call yesterday. Very briefly, Mallikarjun Kharge himself had called. He asked if I could give my candidature for nomination and I decided then and there that I would accept the honour. Naturally, I was happy.
* Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy has called you a non-political, non-controversial figure. How would you define yourself?
I am a serious student of Constitutional law and broadly a liberal Constitutional democrat. I can’t say that I am non-political, though I do not belong to any political party. When you exercise your voting rights, you cannot say that you are not a political person. I do not owe any allegiance to any political party; that’s how I see myself.
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* Is this a fight for the Constitution, as many are calling it? How do you see it?
I am a person who has immense faith in the Constitution and its values. The values include liberty, equality and fraternity. Ours is a multicultural, multilinguistic, multireligious society. So the value of fraternity is very much important and that is enshrined in the Constitution. This is how I look at it.
* Will you be approaching all parties to support you?
Political parties do not vote. The electoral college consists of the elected representatives — that is the MPs. I would appeal to all of them to consider my request and support my candidature.
Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice.
Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include:
Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India.
Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism.
Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities.
National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting.
Authoritativeness & Trust
A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society.
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