Jagdeep Dhankhar Resignation: On the evening of July 21, 2025, Indian politics witnessed an unprecedented event when Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar suddenly resigned from his position.
This decision, coming on the first day of Parliament’s monsoon session, has shocked not only the opposition but also the ruling party.
Dhankhar’s Resignation: Health or Politics?
74-year-old Jagdeep Dhankhar, in his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, wrote, “Prioritizing health and following medical advice, I am resigning from the position of Vice President of India with immediate effect.” He announced his resignation under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
However, opposition parties claim that there may be deeper political reasons behind this sudden resignation rather than just health concerns. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has termed this decision as “shocking and unimaginable.”
NDTV’s Revelation: What’s the Real Reason?
According to NDTV reports, behind Dhankhar’s resignation lies a sharp disagreement with the central government over the opposition motion against Justice Yashwant Varma.
When the opposition brought a removal motion in Rajya Sabha against Justice Varma (from whose residence large amounts of cash were recovered), Dhankhar accepted it.
The central government didn’t appreciate this because it gave the opposition, rather than the government, the initiative on judiciary corruption issues.
Subsequently, Dhankhar received a phone call from the center, and the conversation turned into a heated argument.
Preparation for No-Confidence Motion Against Dhankhar
According to sources, after this controversy, preparations began to bring a no-confidence motion against Dhankhar.
This would have been the same process that the opposition had initiated against Dhankhar six months earlier.
Experienced politician Dhankhar got wind of this information and decided to resign himself to avoid humiliation.
Opposition’s Suspicion
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh revealed that he was with Dhankhar until 5 PM and spoke to him on the phone until 7:30 PM.
“Clearly, there is much more behind this completely unexpected resignation than what appears on the surface.”
Dhankhar’s Political Journey
Early Life and Education
Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on May 18, 1951, in a simple farming family in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. His educational journey includes:
- Completed primary education at village school
- Studied at Chittorgarh Sainik School on scholarship
- Obtained BSc (Honours) degree from Maharaja College, Jaipur
- Completed law studies from Rajasthan University
From Law to Politics
Dhankhar became a member of the Rajasthan Bar Council in 1979 and became a senior advocate at Rajasthan High Court in 1990.
He entered politics after being influenced by Chaudhary Devi Lal.
Beginning of Political Career
In 1989, on Devi Lal’s 75th birthday, Dhankhar led a convoy of 75 vehicles from Rajasthan to Delhi to congratulate him. Later that year, Janata Dal gave him a ticket from Jhunjhunu for Lok Sabha elections.
When VP Singh’s government was formed, Dhankhar was appointed as a Union Minister.
Tenure as Vice President
Dhankhar took oath as India’s 14th Vice President in August 2022. In the election held on August 6, 2022, he defeated opposition candidate Margaret Alva:
| Candidate | Votes Received |
|---|---|
| Jagdeep Dhankhar | 528 |
| Margaret Alva | 182 |
Controversial Tenure
Dhankhar’s tenure as Chairman of Rajya Sabha was filled with controversies.
There were constant clashes with the opposition, and an impeachment motion was even brought against him, which was dismissed by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
Incomplete Tenure: Third Vice President in History
Dhankhar became the third Vice President who didn’t complete his full term:
- Varahagiri Venkat Giri (V.V. Giri) – Resigned in 1969 to contest presidential election
- Krishna Kant – Passed away on July 27, 2002, during his tenure
- Jagdeep Dhankhar – Resigned due to health reasons (2025)
Government Response and Future Plans
According to government sources, Dhankhar’s decision was unexpected for the government as well. A BJP leader said, “We are still trying to understand this.
But I think the party will choose someone who is a solid alternative and not controversial.”
Rajya Sabha Functioning
Immediately after Dhankhar’s resignation, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh assumed the role of Acting Chairman.
Under Article 91 of the Constitution, when the Vice President’s position becomes vacant, the Deputy Chairman performs the Chairman’s duties.
Election of Next Vice President
Election Timeline
According to the Constitution, the election of a new Vice President must be completed within 60 days, i.e., by September 19, 2025. The electoral college includes 788 MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Potential Candidates
Names being discussed include:
- Harivansh Narayan Singh (Current Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman)
- Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP)
- Some senior BJP leader or former Governor
Election Process
| Election Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Voters | All members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha |
| Voting Method | Proportional representation by single transferable vote |
| Voting | Secret ballot |
| Requirements | Indian citizen, 35+ years, qualified to be Rajya Sabha member |
Opposition Concerns and Questions
Opposition parties have raised serious questions about Dhankhar’s sudden resignation:
Congress’s Stance
- Jairam Ramesh called it “shocking and unimaginable”
- Opposition claims there are “much deeper reasons” beyond health
- Appealed to PM to ask Dhankhar to reconsider his decision
Kapil Sibal’s Response
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal called Dhankhar a “patriot” and said if he resigned due to health reasons, it should be accepted.
Political Analysis and Impact
Challenge for Ruling Party
Dhankhar’s sudden resignation is an unexpected challenge for BJP and NDA. This development during the monsoon session could affect the government’s plans.
Constitutional Continuity
Experts say there will be no disruption in constitutional continuity. With experienced Deputy Chairman Harivansh in place, Rajya Sabha’s functioning will continue smoothly.
Public and Media Reaction
Social Media Response
The news of Dhankhar’s resignation has created a massive buzz on social media platforms.
Hashtags like #DhankharResignation and #VicePresidentResigns are trending with thousands of posts discussing the implications.
Media Coverage
Major news channels have been providing round-the-clock coverage of this development. Political analysts are debating the timing and reasons behind this unprecedented move.
Constitutional Implications
Article 67 Analysis
Under Article 67 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice President can resign by writing to the President. This provision has been used only three times in Indian history, making Dhankhar’s case particularly significant.
Rajya Sabha Operations
The immediate transfer of powers to Deputy Chairman Harivansh ensures that legislative business continues uninterrupted. This smooth transition demonstrates the robustness of India’s constitutional framework.
Health Concerns: Fact or Fiction?
Medical Reports
While official sources cite health reasons, no specific medical condition has been disclosed publicly. This has led to speculation about the authenticity of health claims.
Previous Health Issues
Sources close to Dhankhar mention that he had been dealing with stress-related issues due to constant political pressure and confrontations in Parliament.
Impact on NDA Government
Coalition Dynamics
This unexpected resignation could affect NDA’s unity and decision-making process. The government now faces the challenge of selecting a consensus candidate for the Vice President position.
Parliamentary Strategy
With the monsoon session underway, the government must balance legislative priorities with the urgent need to fill the Vice President’s position.
Opposition’s Strategic Advantage
Political Mileage
The opposition sees this as an opportunity to question the government’s handling of constitutional positions and may use this incident to attack the ruling party.
Unity Among Opposition Parties
This development might help bring opposition parties together in their criticism of the government and in proposing alternative candidates.
International Perspective
Global Media Coverage
International media outlets have picked up this story, with BBC, Reuters, and CNN reporting on the unprecedented nature of this resignation in the world’s largest democracy.
Diplomatic Implications
Foreign diplomats in New Delhi are closely watching the developments as the Vice President’s position has constitutional significance in India’s federal structure.
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation represents a significant moment in Indian politics that could have far-reaching implications.
While health reasons have been officially cited, opposition parties and political analysts believe there may be deeper political motivations behind this decision.
The election of a new Vice President in the coming 60 days will play a crucial role in determining the direction of Indian politics.
Despite NDA’s strong position, this election will signal future political dynamics.
The incident raises important questions about the independence of constitutional positions and the need for harmonious working relationships between different branches of government.
As India navigates through this constitutional challenge, the focus remains on maintaining democratic values and institutional integrity.
The coming weeks will be crucial in understanding the full implications of this unprecedented resignation and its impact on India’s political landscape.
The selection of the next Vice President will be closely watched as a reflection of the country’s political priorities and constitutional values.
