Thu Sep 04 21:04:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article, keeping in mind the “The Hindu” style and the context provided:

**Summary:**

The INDIA bloc’s Vice-Presidential nominee, retired Supreme Court Justice Balakrishna Sudarshan Reddy, visited Patna on September 4, 2025, to garner support from Bihar’s opposition leaders. He emphasized the importance of the Vice-President’s role in upholding democracy and constitutional balance, especially in light of perceived suppression of the opposition in Parliament. Reddy highlighted his non-partisan stance and framed the election as a crucial battle between democracy and potential authoritarianism. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav supported Reddy, questioning the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the previous Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, and praising Reddy’s commitment to justice and impartiality.

**News Article:**

**Reddy Seeks Bihar Opposition Support, Highlights Threat to Democracy**

*Patna, September 5, 2025:* Retired Supreme Court Justice Balakrishna Sudarshan Reddy, the INDIA bloc’s nominee for Vice-President, visited Patna on Thursday, making a strong appeal to Bihar’s opposition leaders for their support. Reddy framed the upcoming election as a critical moment for Indian democracy, emphasizing the need for an impartial Vice-President to safeguard constitutional values.

Accompanied by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, Justice Reddy evoked the historical significance of Bihar, citing its connections to Buddha, Ashoka, and Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha. He stressed his commitment to non-partisanship, stating, “The election for the post of Vice-President is not only a post but a supreme post of the Constitution…I will not become a member of any party.”

Reddy underscored his belief that the Vice-President’s role extends beyond chairing the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing its symbolic importance in maintaining democratic dignity. “When the voice of the Opposition is being suppressed in Parliament, Bills are being passed without discussion and statements of MPs are being removed from the record, then it is necessary that the Vice-President remains impartial and maintains the dignity of the House,” he stated.

Tejashwi Yadav voiced strong support for Reddy, questioning the circumstances of Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice-President. “The country wants to know if Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned as Vice-President, was unwell. Even his medical bulletin was not issued,” Yadav said. He further added, “Justice Reddy does not come from any party, he comes from the soul of the Constitution. His honesty, impartiality and love for justice need no introduction. This is the reason why this election is a fight between democracy and dictatorship.”

Reddy’s visit included meetings with Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram, and State Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru.

Read More