NEW DELHI: Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday named former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as INDIA bloc’s pick for the upcoming Vice Presidential elections slated to take place on September 9.During a press conference, Kharge said that Reddy is one of India’s most “distinguished and progressive jurists.”

“He has had a long and eminent legal career, including as judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court, Chief Justice of Guwahati high court and judge of the Supreme Court.” Kharge further added that Reddy has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic and political justice. “He is a poor man and many judgments, if you read, will know how he favoured the poor people and also protected the Constitution and fundamental rights,” he added. Giving further details, Kharge said that Reddy will file for nomination on August 21 and all opposition parties’ MPs will gather in a meeting in the central hall at 1 pm. Talking about the Vice Presidential election, the Congress leader said that it is an “ideological battle,” adding that, “all the opposition parties agreed on this, and this is the reason we have nominated B Sudershan Reddy as the joint candidate.” TMC MP Derek O’Brien said, “All opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, are on board.”