Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned suddenly, citing health issues. Sources say a tense phone call with the Centre over a judge’s removal triggered the exit.
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NEW DELHI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar shocked everyone by resigning late last night. Officially, he said it was due to health reasons. But inside sources revealed a much deeper political drama that started with a judge, a huge cash recovery, and an unexpected clash between Dhankhar and the Centre.
It all began when the Opposition submitted a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma after a large amount of cash was found at his home.
This happened during the start of the Monsoon Session in Rajya Sabha. As the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Mr Dhankhar accepted the motion and told the Secretary-General to begin the necessary process.
This move did not go well with the Central government, according to sources. By accepting the Opposition’s motion, the Vice President took away the Centre’s chance to act first against the judge, which upset the ruling side.
Soon after, the Centre reportedly called Mr Dhankhar to discuss the matter. The conversation became heated, as the Vice President stood firm and even reminded the Centre about the powers of his constitutional office. Sources say this phone call became a turning point.
After this strong disagreement, there were talks of a possible no-confidence motion being prepared against the Vice President – just six months after a similar attempt by the Opposition. Being a senior and experienced politician, Mr Dhankhar chose to step down before he could be removed.
At 9:25 pm, the official X (Twitter) handle of the Vice President posted his resignation letter, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu.
“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. I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency, the Honourable President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure,” Mr Dhankhar wrote in the letter.
“I express my deep gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the esteemed Council of Ministers. Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office. The warmth, trust, and affection I have received from all the Hon’ble Members of Parliament would ever be cherished at and embedded in my memory. I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy,” he wrote.
His sudden resignation created a huge buzz in political circles. People were surprised and many were left guessing. Sources now say that Mr Dhankhar may also skip giving a farewell speech, again pointing to “health reasons“.
Many Congress leaders called the whole event a “riddle wrapped in mystery rolled in an enigma” and said it was hard to understand.
Also, the Opposition raised concerns about the absence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from a 4:30 pm business advisory meeting, which reportedly upset the Vice President. They also pointed to a comment made by JP Nadda in the Rajya Sabha.
During Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech, Mr Nadda had said:
“Only what I say will go on record,”
This comment was seen by some as disrespecting the Chair, since only the Vice President (Chairman of the House) has the authority to control what goes on record in the Rajya Sabha.
Mr Nadda later denied these claims and clarified:
“Kiren Rijiju and I could not attend the 4.30 pm meeting called by the Honourable Vice President because we were occupied with another important parliamentary engagement. Prior intimation regarding this was duly conveyed to the Vice President’s office,” he said.
“Also, when I said in the Rajya Sabha that ‘only what I say will go on record’, it was directed at the interrupting opposition MPs — not at the Chair,” he added.
When asked, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said:
“Only he knows the reason. We have nothing to say on this. Either the government knows or he knows. It is up to the government to accept his resignation or not,” he told reporters.
Interestingly, just 10 days ago, the 74-year-old Vice President had confidently said that he would continue until August 2027, unless there was “divine intervention”.
What Happens When the Vice President of India Suddenly Resigns?
When the Vice President of India resigns unexpectedly, the Constitution of India provides a structured process to ensure smooth continuity. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Resignation Process
- The Vice President submits a written resignation to the President of India.
- Once the President accepts it, the resignation takes effect immediately (or from the date mentioned in the letter).
Who Takes Over the Responsibilities?
- The Vice President also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).
- After resignation, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha takes over the responsibility of conducting House proceedings.
Election of a New Vice President
- The Constitution allows a vacancy in the Vice President’s office for up to six months.
- Within this period, a new Vice President must be elected.
- The Election Commission of India is responsible for announcing and conducting this election.
No Executive or Emergency Powers
- The Vice President does not hold executive powers like the President.
- Their resignation does not impact day-to-day governance or constitutional stability.
Parliamentary Impact
- As the Rajya Sabha Chair, the Vice President’s absence can lead to temporary disruptions in parliamentary proceedings, especially during a session.
- However, these are managed by the Deputy Chairman or a senior member appointed to preside over the session.
In Summary
When the Vice President resigns, the President accepts the resignation, the Deputy Chairman handles Rajya Sabha duties, and a new Vice President must be elected within six months. The overall functioning of the government continues without disruption.
Background of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
Early Life and Education
Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on 18 May 1951 in the village of Kithana in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, into a modest farming family. He completed his early education at a government primary school in his village and later studied at Sainik School, Chittorgarh. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
Legal Career
Dhankhar began practicing law in 1979 and was designated a Senior Advocate by the Rajasthan High Court in 1990. He built a reputation as a constitutional lawyer and practiced in the Supreme Court of India. He also served as the president of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association.
Political Career
Jagdeep Dhankhar entered politics in 1989 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu as a member of the Janata Dal. He served as the Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar government from 1990 to 1991. Later, he joined the Indian National Congress and then moved to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2003. He was elected as a Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Kishangarh between 1993 and 1998.
Governor of West Bengal (2019–2022)
In July 2019, Dhankhar was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal. His tenure was marked by frequent and public confrontations with the state government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. These included disagreements over administrative decisions, public statements, and communications that drew national attention for their intensity and constitutional implications.
Vice President of India (2022–2025)
In July 2022, Jagdeep Dhankhar was nominated by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as its candidate for the office of Vice President. He won the election held on 6 August 2022 with a clear majority. As Vice President, he served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. His approach in the House was firm and often marked by assertive enforcement of parliamentary rules. He spoke publicly on issues of judicial accountability, separation of powers, and parliamentary sovereignty.
Resignation in 2025
On 21 July 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his resignation as Vice President of India, citing health reasons. His decision came unexpectedly and was seen as a rare mid-term exit from such a high constitutional position.
Summary
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s journey from a small village in Rajasthan to the Vice Presidency of India reflects a career built through law, politics, and constitutional roles. Known for his strong views and assertive presence in both legal and political spheres, he remains a prominent figure in contemporary Indian politics.
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