New Delhi [India], August 19 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asserted that the collective decision by all opposition parties to nominate retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as their joint candidate for the Vice Presidential election was a "huge achievement of democracy."
Addressing a press conference here, Kharge said the opposition was united in its stand against injustice, especially when democracy and the Constitution were under threat.
"All opposition parties have nominated B Sudershan Reddy garu as their joint candidate for the position of the Vice President of India. I am glad that all opposition parties are ready to fight collectively. This is a huge achievement of democracy. Because the opposition stands united against injustice whenever democracy and the constitution are under threat," Kharge said.
The Rajya Sabha MP argued that B Sudershan Reddy, who he said was a progressive jurist, represents the values that shaped India's freedom movement. He asserted that all these values are under assault.
"He reflects, fully, the values that shaped our country's freedom movement so profoundly, and the values on which our country's constitution and democracy have been anchored. All these values are under assault and therefore, our collective and determined resolve to fight this election," Kharge said while asserting that this Vice Presidential contest was an ideological battle.
"B Sudershan Reddy garu 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. He has been a consistent and courageous champion of social, economic and political justice," he added.
The INDIA bloc announced retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as its Vice Presidential candidate earlier in the day, terming the election an "ideological fight" against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The opposition leaders said their choice of candidate is meant to defend constitutional values.
The announcement also received backing from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Earlier in the day, Kharge said Reddy would file his nomination on August 21.
Reddy, who served as Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2007, retired in July 2011. He will contest against the NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan.
The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for September 9, with counting on the same day.