The sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, India's Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, on Monday evening has ignited widespread speculation regarding the underlying reasons for his departure. Citing health issues, Dhankhar's surprising announcement came as the monsoon session commenced, leaving many in the political arena bewildered.
Unanticipated Exit: India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Amidst Health Concerns
Unanticipated Exit: India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Amidst Health Concerns
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation has stirred political speculation and debate, following a surprise announcement on the first day of the monsoon session.
At the age of 74, Dhankhar was expected to serve until 2027, having assumed office in August 2022 as part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite his abrupt resignation on the first day of the session, with officials remaining silent on the matter, political figures from the opposition expressed surprise, suggesting that “more than meets the eye” lies behind the decision.
On the same day Dhankhar presided over a Rajya Sabha session, he took part in swearing in new members and received an impeachment notice against High Court Judge Yashwant Varma, amidst claims of misconduct following a cash discovery.
Dhankhar, who had an official outing arranged in Jaipur for Wednesday, submitted a resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, prioritizing his health. In the letter, he reflected on his tenure proudly, acknowledging India's remarkable economic growth during his time in office.
The resignation, however, raised questions. Anand Dubey, spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed disbelief regarding the lack of prior consultation, asserting that if health had genuinely been an issue, the resignation could have occurred sooner.
Congress MP Manish Tewari described Dhankhar's resignation as “totally unexpected” and echoed sentiments about potential unseen factors at play. Jairam Ramesh also called Dhankhar's resignation “unprecedented,” highlighting the absence of two ministers from an advisory meeting he was supposed to lead on the same day, pointing towards possible discord.
Dhankhar’s political career has been tumultuous; entering politics in 1989 and joining the BJP in 2003, he previously served as the Governor of West Bengal, where he frequently clashed with the ruling state government before his nomination as vice president in 2022. After undergoing an angioplasty earlier this year, Dhankhar had resumed his parliamentary duties.
With the vice presidency now vacant, it falls to the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or another appointed member to handle his responsibilities until a successor is named. The political landscape in India watches closely as the implications of this unexpected resignation continue to unfold.
On the same day Dhankhar presided over a Rajya Sabha session, he took part in swearing in new members and received an impeachment notice against High Court Judge Yashwant Varma, amidst claims of misconduct following a cash discovery.
Dhankhar, who had an official outing arranged in Jaipur for Wednesday, submitted a resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, prioritizing his health. In the letter, he reflected on his tenure proudly, acknowledging India's remarkable economic growth during his time in office.
The resignation, however, raised questions. Anand Dubey, spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed disbelief regarding the lack of prior consultation, asserting that if health had genuinely been an issue, the resignation could have occurred sooner.
Congress MP Manish Tewari described Dhankhar's resignation as “totally unexpected” and echoed sentiments about potential unseen factors at play. Jairam Ramesh also called Dhankhar's resignation “unprecedented,” highlighting the absence of two ministers from an advisory meeting he was supposed to lead on the same day, pointing towards possible discord.
Dhankhar’s political career has been tumultuous; entering politics in 1989 and joining the BJP in 2003, he previously served as the Governor of West Bengal, where he frequently clashed with the ruling state government before his nomination as vice president in 2022. After undergoing an angioplasty earlier this year, Dhankhar had resumed his parliamentary duties.
With the vice presidency now vacant, it falls to the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or another appointed member to handle his responsibilities until a successor is named. The political landscape in India watches closely as the implications of this unexpected resignation continue to unfold.
