Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President, Cites Health
On the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, citing health reasons. The development took many by surprise, as there were no prior indications of such a move.
Active Till The Last Hour
Earlier in the day, Dhankhar had performed all his official duties. He chaired the first Rajya Sabha sitting, held the Business Advisory Committee meeting, and was even scheduled to visit Jaipur the following day. His resignation came hours later, making the sequence of events all the more unexpected.
Third Vice President to Quit Before Term Ends
Dhankhar, who assumed office in August 2022, becomes only the third Vice President in Indian history to resign before completing his term. The two previous instances involved V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, both of whom left the post to take on the Presidency.
Constitutional Procedure and Next Steps
As per Article 67(a) of the Constitution, his resignation took effect immediately after being accepted by the President. Until a new Vice President is elected, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, will officiate as Chairman. The Election Commission is expected to initiate the vice-presidential election process within 60 days.
Political Ripples Across the Aisle
The resignation has sparked intense political speculation. While leaders from the ruling alliance reportedly began considering names for Dhankhar’s replacement, the Opposition expressed surprise at the timing. Though Dhankhar’s letter cited health reasons, some political circles remain unconvinced that health was the sole factor behind the decision.
A Tenure Marked by Assertiveness
During his short stint, Dhankhar was known for his assertive handling of Rajya Sabha proceedings and frequent face-offs with Opposition members. In his resignation letter, he thanked the President, the Prime Minister, and all parliamentarians, calling his tenure a privilege and a matter of pride.
