‘Reddy a fearless champion of equality': Mallikarjun Kharge introduces V-P candidate to Opp leaders
Reddy, who will be the joint Opposition candidate, was formally introduced to senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Sharad Pawar among others, at a meeting in the Central Hall of Parliament on Wednesday.
At a time when the integrity of India's democratic institutions was 'facing unprecedented challenges', Kharge said Justice Reddy's contest against NDA's C P Radhakrishnan was 'an ideological battle for the soul of our nation'.
'This Vice-Presidential election is not merely a contest for an office; it is an ideological battle for the soul of our nation. While the ruling party has chosen the ideology of RSS, we uphold the Constitution and its values as our guiding light,' he said on the eve of the last day of filing nominations for the polls scheduled on September 9.
Terming him a 'towering figure in Indian jurisprudence', Justice Reddy, Kharge said, was 'renowned for his unwavering commitment to justice' and had been a fearless champion of social, economic, and political equality, delivering landmark judgments that have 'strengthened the fabric of our democracy'.
Referring to the three Bills introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament on Wednesday, he said, 'Constitutional Amendment Bills that undermine the core values of parliamentary democracy and federalism are being introduced in subterfuge at the fag end of the session, leaving no scope for meaningful debate or scrutiny.'
'Over the last 11 years, we have witnessed the blatant misuse of parliamentary majority to arm the autonomous agencies like ED, I-T, and CBI with draconian powers to target Opposition leaders. Now, these new Bills are set to become instruments in the hands of the ruling party to further undermine and destabilise democratically elected governments in the states,' he added.
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