Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Steps Down Citing Health Concerns

In a surprising turn of events, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position on Monday evening, citing health reasons as his primary concern. His resignation letter was promptly sent to President Droupadi Murmu, indicating his immediate departure from the role. This decision came after a particularly busy day in the Rajya Sabha, marking the commencement of the Monsoon session of Parliament under his leadership.

Eventful Day in Rajya Sabha Under Dhankhar’s Chairmanship

During the session, an opposition-sponsored notice was submitted for a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma, following the discovery of burnt cash at his residence. Vice President Dhankhar addressed this issue in the House and instructed the secretary general to proceed with necessary actions. Interestingly, a similar notice was also introduced in the Lok Sabha by the ruling alliance, which had garnered support from the opposition.

Oath Administration and Committee Meetings

Apart from handling pressing issues, Dhankhar administered oaths to newly elected and nominated Rajya Sabha members. He also chaired a meeting of the business advisory committee, showcasing his commitment to parliamentary duties until his resignation.

Planned Visit to Jaipur and Political Reactions

Before his resignation, Dhankhar was scheduled to visit Jaipur on Wednesday as Vice President. According to a government statement released at 3:53 pm on Monday, he was set to meet with members of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) Rajasthan at Rambagh Palace. The Congress party expressed surprise at Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation, suggesting that there might be underlying reasons beyond what is publicly known.

Reflections on Tenure and Health Challenges

In his resignation letter, Dhankhar expressed gratitude for the experiences gained during his tenure and highlighted India’s economic progress during this transformative period. Notably, he had recently undergone angioplasty at AIIMS in Delhi. Earlier this month, he humorously mentioned retiring at “the right time,” which was initially anticipated to be August 2027.

Historical Context and Succession Plans

Jagdeep Dhankhar becomes the third Vice President in India’s history to resign during his term, following VV Giri and R Venkataraman, who resigned to contest presidential elections. As per regulations, elections must be conducted within six months to appoint a new Vice President. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman will oversee proceedings until a successor is elected.