Former judge B. Sudarshan Reddy, the opposition candidate for the Vice President’s post, has appealed to all Members of Parliament for their support, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the dignity of the election. Reddy, speaking at a press conference in Ranchi, stated that he decided to contest the election due to the current circumstances in the country, despite having dedicated the past 45 years to upholding the Constitution. He met with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to seek his backing, stressing that the Constitution’s Preamble is its core and that its protection is the Supreme Court’s responsibility. Reddy also addressed the arrest of Hemant Soren and the alleged role of constitutional bodies, questioning who would compensate for the damage to Soren’s reputation. He highlighted the need to revise voter lists, expressing concerns about the current processes of adding and removing voters. Reddy has written to all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, seeking their support, and intends to engage with top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He paid tribute to Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, acknowledging his lifelong dedication to the state’s formation. Responding to a question, Reddy stated that he would comment on the 130th Amendment Bill after receiving the report from the Parliamentary Joint Committee. He also avoided commenting on the appointment of judges through the collegium system, citing the need for a separate discussion. Reddy emphasized his priority is to ensure that the Vice Presidential election is conducted with constitutional decorum and maintains its prestige. He also affirmed that he will not allow the dignity of the Constitution to be undermined. When asked about the former governor’s role in the arrest of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Reddy declined to make any personal remarks.
