Shocking Resignation After Rajya Sabha Session
In a stunning development that has rattled the political establishment, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Monday evening, citing health reasons. The announcement came shortly after he presided over the opening day of the Monsoon Session of the Rajya Sabha, raising eyebrows across party lines.
At precisely 7:00 p.m., Dhankhar submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, stating:
“To focus on health care and in the interest of following medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, with immediate effect in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”
He thanked the President for her “continued support” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “invaluable cooperation.” Dhankhar also reflected on his tenure since August 2022, calling it a privilege to witness India’s economic rise.
Timing Sparks Questions Within Opposition
While health has been presented as the official reason, opposition leaders are unconvinced. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, who met Dhankhar twice on Monday — once at 5:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. — termed the resignation “shocking and inexplicable.”
Ramesh pointed to Dhankhar’s active engagement throughout the day, including presiding over a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting at 12:30 p.m., attended by JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju. Notably, both skipped a follow-up meeting at 4:30 p.m. without notice, prompting Dhankhar to schedule another meeting for Tuesday.
“Something really went wrong between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.,” Ramesh posted. “There are clearly more than health-related reasons.”
Surprising Decisions Preceded Exit
Sources within Parliament suggest that Dhankhar’s recent move to accept a motion by 63 Opposition MPs to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma may have upset the government. Known for his independent and often assertive stance, Dhankhar has frequently emphasized farmer rights and judicial accountability, often clashing with the ruling regime.
Jairam Ramesh praised his “balanced approach” and appealed to Prime Minister Modi to persuade Dhankhar to reconsider for the nation’s benefit — particularly for farmers.
Leaders React Across Party Lines
Bhupesh Baghel, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, questioned the health explanation, saying Dhankhar was “completely fine” during a recent meeting.
“This resignation is not normal. It signals a possible political storm,” he said.
Sudhakar (RJD) and Anand Dubey (Shiv Sena-UBT) echoed similar concerns, warning of a constitutional crisis or deep internal strife within the BJP.
On a more personal note, Kapil Sibal refrained from speculating but said:
“I’m deeply saddened. Despite ideological differences, I have shared a respectful relationship with Dhankhar ji.”
Leadership Vacuum and What Lies Ahead
This unprecedented resignation — the first mid-term exit of a Vice President not ascending to the Presidency — has created an immediate vacuum. Until a new election is held within six months, Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, will hold interim charge.
With political calculations already underway, parties across the spectrum are trying to decipher the real triggers behind this historic exit — a move that could reshape power dynamics at the highest levels of Indian politics.
Key Takeaways:
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Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns citing health; Opposition sees deeper issues.
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The resignation follows critical parliamentary events and possible internal friction.
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Political reactions hint at a brewing storm within the ruling establishment.
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Succession race for Vice President now officially begins.