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:
* 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.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd