Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President of India, has unexpectedly resigned from his position. He announced his resignation on Monday evening, citing health reasons as the primary factor behind his decision. The resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on July 22. Dhankhar, who is 74 years old, has served as Vice President since 2022. His resignation created a stir on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament. The President has also approved his resignation, and it has been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action. A notification regarding this matter is expected to be released shortly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his best wishes for Dhankhar’s health in a post on social media. He stated that Dhankhar had many opportunities to serve the country in various roles, including as Vice President. Dhankhar’s sudden resignation makes him the third Vice President to resign mid-term. The previous two were V. V. Giri and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
During the ongoing Monsoon session, there were heated discussions in Parliament, particularly between Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP President J.P. Nadda regarding the Operation Sinndoor and the Pulwama terrorist attack. Dhankhar had assured that he would discuss all aspects of these issues. However, prominent ministers from the ruling party were absent from the meeting that he called later. On the same evening, he announced his resignation, leading to speculation about his dissatisfaction with Nadda.
In his resignation letter to the President, Dhankhar referred to health reasons and medical advice, as per Article 67(a) of the Constitution. He thanked the President for her cooperation and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the council of ministers for their guidance. Dhankhar noted the love, trust, and respect he received from all members of Parliament, which he will treasure for life. Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed his gratitude for the experiences and perspectives gained as Vice President. He mentioned it was a privilege to witness India’s economic growth and transformative changes.
Dhankhar was sworn in as the 14th Vice President of India on August 11, 2022, after defeating the Opposition candidate Margaret Alva in the election held on August 6, 2022. He received 528 votes out of 725, while Alva received 182 votes. Before becoming Vice President, Dhankhar served as the Governor of West Bengal, where he was often in the news for his confrontations with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Born on May 18, 1951, in a farmer’s family in Rajasthan, Dhankhar received his early education in village schools before moving on to Chittorgarh Military School. His political career began in 1989, and he has held various positions in both state and national politics.
The resignation of Dhankhar has raised questions about the future leadership of the country as a new Vice President will need to be elected within 60 days. The current Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will assume the responsibilities in the interim. This unexpected change in leadership comes at a crucial time as the government faces various challenges in Parliament and beyond. Dhankhar’s departure marks a significant moment in Indian politics, reflecting both personal circumstances and the dynamic nature of political roles in the country.