THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 30: Former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy, the opposition’s joint candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, questioned who was responsible for damaging Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s reputation. Reddy, representing the INDIA bloc, visited Ranchi on Saturday, where he met Soren and later addressed the media.
Opposition’s Vice-Presidential Candidate
Reddy, who hails from Telangana, has been nominated by the INDIA alliance as its consensus candidate for the Vice-Presidential poll scheduled for September 9. Speaking at a press conference alongside Hemant Soren, he said that both the ruling and opposition camps were engaged in preparations. Still, for the opposition, the contest was about more than just winning or losing.
“The Vice-Presidential election is not about victory or defeat; it is a fight for principles,” Reddy remarked.
Calls for Broad Support
Reddy confirmed that he had the support of Soren’s MPs and expressed confidence that many more parliamentarians would back his candidacy. “I will request all Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs to support me if they find me capable. Letters have already been sent to all MPs and, if needed, I will also reach out to BJP leaders,” he said.
Emphasising the constitutional rather than political nature of the role, he added: “MPs who stand for justice will vote for us according to their conscience.”
Defence of Hemant Soren
Turning to allegations against the Jharkhand Chief Minister, Reddy said: “All the allegations levelled against Hemant Soren were baseless. The way he was harassed and the kind of treatment he received have tarnished his reputation. Who is responsible for this?”
He emphasised the importance of preserving the essence of the Constitution, which, he said, embodies equality, justice, fraternity, and dignity, alongside socio-economic and political values.
Concerns Over Democratic Norms
Reddy also voiced concern over what he described as new challenges facing democracy. He criticised political parties for overstepping constitutional limits once in power and warned against “new commentary and new narratives” that undermine democratic institutions.
“There is no provision for a whip in this election,” he noted, adding that the proposed 130th Constitutional Amendment is currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
Tribute to Shibu Soren
During his visit, Reddy also paid tribute to Shibu Soren, the late architect of the Jharkhand movement and former Chief Minister, known as Dishom Guru. Senior leaders from the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, including Congress in-charge K. Raju and state party president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh, were present at the event.
