Surprise exit: As Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns, NDA in huddle over VP post; who's in the running?
NEW DELHI: Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening, citing medical reasons. His decision has opened the field for the selection of a new vice-president.
In his resignation letter to President
Droupadi Murmu
, Dhankhar wrote: "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as vice-president of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution."
Dhankhar, 74, had taken office in August 2022. His term was to continue until 2027. As vice-president, he also held the position of Rajya Sabha chairman. His resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which holds a majority in the vice-presidential electoral college comprising members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, was taken by surprise by the move. The ruling alliance is expected to discuss possible candidates in the coming days.
The BJP is likely to choose a nominee from a broad pool that includes current governors, senior leaders from the party organisation, or serving Union ministers.
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Before becoming vice-president, Dhankhar was the Governor of West Bengal.
Dhankhar's predecessor, M Venkaiah Naidu, was a former BJP president and a Cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government when the party selected him for the vice-president's post in 2017.
Dhankhar's three-year tenure saw several confrontations with opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha. His public remarks on various matters had at times caused concern within the government.
'We are still processing it. But I believe the party will choose someone who is a solid choice and is non-controversial,' a BJP leader was quoted as saying by the PTI.
Among those being discussed as possible choices is Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, a Janata Dal (United) MP who has held the post since 2020. He is viewed as someone who enjoys the government's trust.
Dhankhar is the third vice-president of India after V V Giri and R Venkataraman to resign during his tenure. Both Giri and Venkataraman had stepped down from the vice-president's post to contest the presidential election.
As per rules, the election to fill the vice-president's post must be held within the next six months. Until a new vice-president is elected, the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman can conduct the proceedings of the House.
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