New Delhi: Justice B Sudershan Reddy, former Supreme Court judge and the INDIA bloc’s Vice-Presidential candidate, on Wednesday praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, crediting him with ensuring that “the streets are not silent.”
Quoting socialist leader Rammanohar Lohia’s famous line — “jab sadak khaamosh hai, sadan awara hoti hai” (when the streets are silent, the House becomes unruly) — Reddy said Rahul Gandhi had made it his “second nature” to challenge authority.
“Rahul Gandhi doesn’t allow the streets to be silent. He successfully persuaded the Telangana government to conduct a systematic caste census,” Reddy said, recalling his own role in leading the expert group for the Telangana caste census.
Warning on Bihar Electoral Crisis
Reddy expressed grave concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, warning that universal adult suffrage was under threat.
“The right to vote is the one and only instrument or weapon in the hands of the common man. When attempts are made to snatch it away, then what remains in democracy?” he asked.
He described the Bihar situation as the “most serious challenge” to the Constitution.
INDIA Bloc Support
Earlier in the day, Reddy met INDIA bloc leaders at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. His candidature was formally announced by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who hailed him as a “distinguished and progressive jurist.”
His nomination papers were backed by senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Kharge, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav, along with around 80 MPs.
