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Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice-President after the first day of the Monsoon Session, despite appearing healthy, sparking speculation over the true reason behind his sudden exit
Jagdeep Dhankhar, aged 74, took office as Vice-President in August 2022, with his term initially set to end in 2027. (PTI/File)
In a move that caught political circles off guard, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post on Monday evening, citing health concerns. The announcement came just hours after he presided over the Rajya Sabha on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, appearing composed and fully engaged in House proceedings. The abrupt nature of his resignation has triggered a flurry of speculation, with Opposition leaders even suggesting that factors beyond health may have influenced his decision.
Why Is the Opposition Questioning Dhankhar’s Resignation?
Several Opposition leaders, including Congress members Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Pramod Tiwari, and Jairam Ramesh, met Dhankhar at 5.45 pm on Monday and reported that he appeared healthy. This claim has fuelled Opposition’s vocal doubts about the health explanation given for the resignation, especially since Dhankhar reportedly did not express any health-related concerns during his interactions with Opposition MPs and while conducting parliamentary proceedings.
Why Is Dhankhar’s Resignation Being Met With Suspicion?
Adding to the speculation, Dhankhar‘s scheduled visit to Jaipur on July 23 was not cancelled, and a press release had been issued confirming the trip. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that he was with Dhankhar until 5 pm and spoke to him on the phone at 7.30 pm, making the sudden resignation seem inexplicable if based solely on health issues.
Questions are being raised over the fact that Jagdeep Dhankhar remained active until around 6-7 pm on Monday evening. What unfolded in the next few hours that led to his sudden resignation remains unclear.
Political circles are abuzz with related questions. For instance, observers point out that if health was the genuine reason, stepping down before the start of the Parliament session would have seemed more appropriate. Dhankhar remained active in the Rajya Sabha throughout the day and showed no visible signs of illness. Moreover, the scheduled official visit on July 23 suggests that the decision may not have been entirely unplanned, raising doubts about the stated reason.
How Much Of Dhankhar’s Term Still Remained?
All eyes will be on how Parliament proceeds on Tuesday in the wake of Dhankhar’s departure. Dhankhar, aged 74, took office as Vice President in August 2022, with his term initially set to end in 2027. He was earlier the Governor of West Bengal. In the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar frequently making headlines for his outspoken statements and clashes with the INDIA bloc MPs, who accused him of bias in the Upper House. He has stepped down with nearly two years remaining in his tenure.
Who Will Take Over Dhankhar’s Responsibilities Now?
Having resigned midway through his term, the responsibility now falls on Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh to act as Chairman until a new Vice-President is elected within 60 days, as mandated by the Constitution.
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