<h1>Opposition vice-presidential candidate says democracy is strained, vows to defend Constitution, supports dissent and caste survey</h1> The opposition's vice-presidential candidate said India faces a 'deficit in democracy' and that the Constitution is under strain, pledging to defend and protect it if elected. He framed the contest as ideological rather than personal, distanced himself from a dominant nationalist organization, defended a past judgment striking down recruitment of tribal special police officers, and rejected a government minister's accusation of supporting insurgency. He endorsed parliamentary dissent while warning it should not become routine, backed a caste survey to inform policy, called for repatriation of offshore black money, and lamented a fractured polity that prevented consensus for high constitutional posts.