Why Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigned - This Might Be The Reason
New Delhi: The sudden and unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar late last night has sent ripples through India’s political circles, sparking intense speculation over the true reasons behind his abrupt departure.
While the official communication cited “health grounds,” highly placed sources suggest a dramatic confrontation on Monday afternoon, revolving around a motion to remove a high court judge, may have been the real catalyst for his exit of the statesman who once was the face and voice of BJP’s hard strategies in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament.
Until the moment of his resignation, it was business as usual for the Vice President’s office, with travel schedules for the coming week already announced. The sheer abruptness of the move, just as the Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced, has led many to believe that underlying tensions, rather than a sudden health deterioration, are at play.
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Indeed, only ten days prior, the 74-year-old had light-heartedly remarked he would serve until August 2027, “subject to divine intervention,” making his current resignation all the more puzzling.
At the heart of the unfolding drama appears to be an Opposition-sponsored motion seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge who recently made headlines following a massive cash recovery at his official residence.
As the Rajya Sabha convened for the Monsoon Session yesterday, Opposition MPs swiftly moved the notice. Crucially, Mr. Dhankhar, in his capacity as Chairman of the Upper House, accepted the notice and instructed the House’s Secretary General to proceed with the necessary steps.
This particular action, according to sources privy to the internal workings, did not sit well with the government. The Centre, it is understood, had its own strategy to lead the charge against judicial corruption and the impugned judge.
Mr. Dhankhar’s decision to accept the Opposition’s notice, therefore, reportedly ran afoul of the government’s carefully laid plans. Whispers of a potential no-confidence motion against the Vice President began to circulate – a striking echo of a similar move brought by the Opposition just six months ago. A seasoned politician, Mr Dhankhar is believed to have swiftly caught wind of these rumblings and, in a pre-emptive move, chose to step down.
Also Read | Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns
At precisely 9:25 PM yesterday, the Vice President’s official X handle released his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu. The letter stated: “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.”
He extended his “deepest gratitude” to the President for her “unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship” they shared. While “health grounds” were formally cited by sources for his departure, indications are that there may be no traditional farewell speech, further fuelling the narrative of a swift and perhaps pressured exit.
The Opposition, meanwhile, has reacted with a mix of bewilderment and suspicion. Senior Congress leaders have described the development as “inexplicable,” a “riddle wrapped in mystery rolled in an enigma.” Some Opposition figures have also highlighted the conspicuous absence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from a 4:30 PM meeting of the business advisory committee, suggesting this absence, combined with remarks made by Mr Nadda in the Rajya Sabha, may have deeply upset the Vice President.
During Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s address, Mr. Nadda, who serves as the Leader of the House, stated, “Only what I say will go on record.” This comment, according to some Opposition members, was a direct affront to the Chair, as only the Chairman holds the authority to regulate House proceedings. They contend Mr. Dhankhar was visibly perturbed by this perceived disrespect.
However, Mr. Nadda has since categorically denied these theories, clarifying his absence from the committee meeting was due to “another important parliamentary engagement,” for which prior intimation was duly conveyed to the Vice President’s office. Regarding his remark in the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Nadda asserted it was “directed at the interrupting opposition MPs – not at the Chair.”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, while commenting on the development, stated, “Only he (Mr Dhankhar) 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.”
As the nation grapples with the fallout of this sudden political development, the prevailing sentiment in parliamentary circles is that Mr. Dhankhar’s resignation, despite the official narrative of health concerns, is intrinsically linked to the high-stakes political manoeuvring surrounding the impeachment motion of Justice Yashwant Varma. The true unraveling of this mystery will undoubtedly continue to dominate headlines in the coming days.
