The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the opposition INDIA bloc's Vice Presidential candidate, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge, for meeting with Lalu Prasad Yadav, the former Chief Minister of Bihar who has been convicted in the fodder scam. The BJP has questioned the propriety and ethics of the meeting, especially given Yadav's conviction and Reddy's aspirations for high constitutional office.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed a press conference, raising concerns about the message sent by Justice Reddy's meeting with a convicted leader. He questioned how this aligns with Reddy's appeals for upholding conscience and maintaining probity in public life, particularly as he is contesting for the second-highest constitutional office. Prasad also criticized the silence of retired judges who had previously supported Reddy during a controversy related to the 'Salwa Judum' judgment.

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, also took aim at Justice Reddy, calling the meeting "terrible optics" and a "shocking statement on probity in public life". He highlighted that Yadav is not even a Member of Parliament and has no vote in the Vice Presidential electoral college. The BJP's criticism centers on the apparent hypocrisy of a former judge, who is now a VP candidate, meeting with a convicted individual. They argue that it raises serious questions about his commitment to integrity and ethical standards in public life.

Lalu Prasad Yadav has been convicted in multiple scams, including those related to railway jobs and the wrongful sale of railway properties. Besides convictions, there are several pending charge sheets against him. The BJP argues that Justice Reddy's meeting with Yadav sends the wrong message, especially considering Reddy's prior statements on democracy and conscience.

The controversy has erupted ahead of the Vice Presidential election, where Justice Reddy is the INDIA bloc's candidate against the NDA's (National Democratic Alliance) CP Radhakrishnan. The BJP's attack aims to undermine Reddy's credibility and raise doubts about his suitability for the Vice President's office. The BJP's reaction can also be seen in the context of the upcoming elections, where issues of corruption and integrity are likely to be central themes. The party is keen to portray the opposition as lacking in probity and to highlight what it sees as double standards.

This incident is not the first time Lalu Prasad Yadav has been at the center of a political storm. He has faced criticism for various remarks and actions in the past. The BJP has often used these instances to target the opposition and accuse them of malfeasance.