Why did Jagdeep Dhankhar resign suddenly? The real reasons could be...

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3 days ago

Jagdeep Dhankhar surprised many when he announced his resignation on Monday (July 21) as vice president and chairman of Rajya Sabha. The 74-year-old cited health as the reason for his departure. But political observers note that there's more to it — his decision to accept the opposition's notice on Justice Varma could have factored into his exit. There is also speculation about his closeness to Congress and AAP leaders read more
He was meant to serve until August 10, 2027. However, 74-year-old Jagdeep Dhankhar surprised one and all when the vice president of India announced his resignation at 9.25 pm on Monday, July 21 — two years before his term ended.
The now former vice president cited his health and medical advice as the reasons for his departure. However, not everyone, especially the opposition, is buying it. The Congress has said that there's more than meets the eye. In fact, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi told the Indian Express, 'The sudden resignation, and the cryptic tweets of PM Narendra Modi. It shows the unease in the relationship between the government and the Constitutional post of V-P. It seems like a game of one-upmanship.'
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Others in the opposition have also raised questions as to whether health was truly the reason for Dhankhar's exit.
So, what went wrong? Was politics behind the cause of Dhankhar's resignation? Did he fall out with the government — which he had been often accused of being biased to?
What did Dhankhar say about his resignation?
After presiding over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Dhankhar made an unscheduled visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, throwing the house staff into a tizzy.
According to a Times of India report, Dhankhar arrived at 9 pm at the presidential residence and held a hastily-arranged meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. As required by law, he then tendered his resignation to her.
At 9.25 pm, he then broke the news to all, releasing his resignation letter to the public, which read: 'To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.'
He also wrote, 'As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat's global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future.'
The move came as a surprise to many within political circles. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh even wrote on X, 'The sudden resignation of the vice president and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable.
'No doubt Mr Dhankar has to give topmost priority to his health. But clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye. This is not the time for speculation though.'
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Differences with the government?
However, those who observe Indian politics very closely suggest that there were signs of a chasm between Dhankhar and the ruling government. The biggest proof of a rupture between the two was Dhankhar's decision on Monday in the Rajya Sabha.
On Monday, the first day of the Monsoon session, Dhankhar accepted a notice by the opposition to remove High Court Justice Yashwant Varma at whose house bundles of cash were allegedly found.
When told by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal that a similar motion was in the Lok Sabha, he directed the Secretary General to verify if a similar motion was moved in the Lower House. On Meghwal's confirmation that a notice had also been submitted in the Lok Sabha, Dhankhar asked the Secretary General to 'take necessary steps in this direction'.
Dhankhar, then said that according to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, when notices of a motion are submitted on the same day in both the Houses of Parliament, a committee to examine the charges levelled against the judge would be constituted jointly by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Many speculate that Dhankhar's decision to accept a motion to impeach Justice Varma didn't sit well with the BJP. File image/PTI
Many speculate that Dhankhar's decision didn't sit well with the BJP. As one source told NDTV that the move went against the government's plan to introduce the motion in the Lok Sabha. Moreover, the government was upset because they believed that Dhankhar's stand diluted the government's leadership on the matter.
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Political observers also note that there were other signs that all wasn't well between Dhankhar and the government. For instance, BJP's leader in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda strong intervention during the debate on Operation Sindoor. 'Nothing will go on record, only what I say will go on record,' Nadda was heard saying while pointing towards Dhankhar.
The Congress states that this was an 'insult' of the Chairman, a claim dismissed by Nadda, who stated that his comments were directed at the opposition.
There's also the fact that JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju skipped Dhankhar's 4.30 pm meeting of the business advisory committee, upsetting the vice president. However, Nadda has clarified, 'The Vice President's office was intimated about our inability to attend the meeting.'
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on Dhankhar's exit seemed to be a give away. The PM wished the latter good health and thanked him for serving the country in various capacities. 'Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.'
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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar with Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha) Mallikarjun Kharge during a meeting at Parliament House, in New Delhi. File image/PTI
A closeness to AAP and Congress?
But beyond these reasons, there are some speculating that Dhankhar's meeting with Congress and AAP leaders could have also played a factor in his resignation.
On July 15, the Vice President's Office posted a 44-second video of Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, paying Dhankhar a visit at the V-P Enclave.
Moreover, a day before the start of the Monsoon Session, Dhankhar met Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. It's important to note that Kejriwal is not an MP.
This has raised many questions as until recently Dhankhar was often criticised by the opposition for being a government stooge and even faced an impeachment notice, threatening to remove him as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for allegedly being partisan to them.
What awaits Dhankhar?
Now, that the President has accepted his resignation and it has been notified, Dhankhar will leave the VP Enclave and move into a government bungalow sanctioned to him. 'He (Dhankhar) will be offered a Type VIII bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi or another area,' an official said. The Type VIII bungalow is usually allotted to senior Union ministers or presidents of national parties.
With inputs from agencies