Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Steps Down Amid Unanswered Questions

The unexpected decision by India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to step down late Monday has ignited widespread debate regarding the underlying reasons for his departure.

While officially attributed to medical issues, the resignation which came as the monsoon session of Parliament commenced has left many in the political class questioning the true motive.

Dhankhar, who also functioned as the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, had been selected for the role by the ruling party but no public statement has yet been made by them concerning his exit.

Some lawmakers in opposition ranks voiced shock over the move, with one parliamentarian suggesting the matter “goes beyond the obvious”.

At 74, Dhankhar still had two years remaining in his term, having assumed office in August 2022.

Just hours before he stepped down, Dhankhar was seen fulfilling his legislative duties overseeing a session in the upper house and inducting newly elected members.

He had also officially accepted a petition seeking the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma filed by more than 50 legislators after a substantial cash stash was allegedly found in the judge’s residence earlier this year. The judge has denied any misconduct.

Dhankhar’s calendar had included a planned official trip to Jaipur later in the week in his current role.

However, that evening, he presented his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, stating a desire “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice”.

“It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India’s remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honour,” Dhankhar wrote in his letter.

The announcement caught many off-guard, including those who reportedly spoke with him earlier in the day.

“What is going on in this government?” a senior political spokesperson questioned.

He noted that “this decision came without proper consultation or discussion. If health was the concern, the resignation could have been submitted a few days before the session or even after.”

Another legislator labeled the exit as “totally unexpected”, acknowledging that “no doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health”, yet remarking that “clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye.”

One prominent MP went so far as to label it “unprecedented”, citing an incident earlier that same day involving an advisory committee meeting Dhankhar was to lead.

According to him, two cabinet members failed to appear and did not inform Dhankhar directly, prompting him to express discontent and move the session to the following day.

“Jagdeep Dhankar’s resignation speaks highly of him. It also speaks poorly of who got him elected as vice president in the first instance,” he concluded.

With a professional background in law, Dhankhar began his political life in 1989 representing the Jhunjhunu constituency.

He officially joined the ruling party in 2003, where he was tasked with leading its legal wing. In 2019, he was appointed as the constitutional head of West Bengal, a tenure often marked by friction with the state’s leadership.

After being chosen as the vice presidential candidate, he stepped down from his gubernatorial position in 2022.

Earlier this year, Dhankhar underwent a heart procedure in Delhi but resumed his official functions soon after and continued to participate actively in legislative affairs.

Now that the vice presidency stands unoccupied, interim duties are expected to be taken over either by the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairperson or another nominee approved by the president.