New Delhi
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening with immediate effect. In his resignation sent to President Draupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote that he was taking this decision to “give priority to health care”. This sudden decision has intensified the speculation in political corridors. Dhankar’s resignation came on the very first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. At present, the race for his successor has started. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a majority in the electoral college, which includes members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Possible names are likely to be considered in the coming days.
After resigning from the post of Vice President of Dhankhar, the election will have to be done “as soon as possible” for the appointment of his successor. According to section two of Article 68 of the Constitution, elections will be held “as soon as possible” after the Vice President’s death, resignation or removal of him from post, or to fill the vacancy due to any other reason. To fill the vacancy, the elected person will be entitled to hold the post “for a period of five years from the date of taking over his office”.
BJP has many big leaders in queue
The BJP has a large group of leaders to choose from this post. Out of the governors or the experienced leaders of the organization or any of the Union ministers, one can be selected. Dhankhar was also the Governor of West Bengal before becoming Vice President. The predecessor of Dhankhar was M Venkaiah Naidu. He was in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet. The party selected him for the post of Vice President in 2017. Naidu was also the President of BJP. Janata Dal (United) MP and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is also being seen as a potential candidate, as he has been working in this post since 2020 and has the confidence of the government.
The first day of the monsoon session appeared active
Moushumi Singh, senior reporter of India Today, says that Jagdeep Dhankhar was seen in Parliament with full active on the first day of the monsoon session. He also took several meetings in Parliament. At 6 pm on July 21, he also met MPs of opposition. During this time he did not mention poor health. But he resigned only after 3 hours.
Jaipur tour was scheduled on 23 July
This decision of Jagdeep Dhankhar is also under question, because his further programs were also proposed. He was to go to Jaipur on 23 July. Vice Presidents were about to communicate with the Real Estate Developers Association there. A press release was also issued by the Vice President’s Secretariat regarding this program.
Opposition is questioning timing
The opposition, who came impeachment against Jagdeep Dhankhar, is also surprised by his sudden resignation. Opposition leaders have raised questions about this. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the Vice President’s move as mysterious. He wrote on social media platform X,
The journey was full of tenure and disputes
Jagdeep Dhankar was sworn in as Vice President in August 2022 and his term was till 2027. During his tenure, he confronted the opposition several times and a first impeachment motion was brought against him, which was rejected by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh. He had an angioplasty in AIIMS Delhi in March 2025 and was hospitalized for a few days. Although he was active in many public events, his health was discussed from time to time.
A political storm was taking shape
A political storm was taking shape just behind the political activities that looked normal from above. On Monday, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar accepted the notice of opposition members of the impeachment motion against Justice Verma. This happened at the same time (2 pm) when it was reported that more than 100 MPs from the ruling and opposition parties in the lower house have signed a notice of impeachment motion against Justice Verma.
Around 4:07 pm, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar gave detailed information about receiving notice from 63 opposition MPs on impeachment motion.
He reminded of the process when notices are given in both houses on impeachment motion against a judge. Dhankhar gave details of the process and also asked Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to confirm whether notice has been given in the lower house. Then he spoke about further action as per the formation and rules of a joint committee.
In this way, it is revealed that he did not indicate his health or any other intention to resign in his last address and attendance.
What was happening to Rajnath Singh’s house?
In the evening, there was a lot of stir in the Parliament outside Rajnath Singh’s office and meetings were also held. Sources say that BJP MP entered Rajnath’s office and went out without saying anything. A BJP MP said on the condition of anonymity that he was being signed on blank paper.
However, the opposition MPs were excited about this and were confident that the impeachment motion would first be brought to the Rajya Sabha as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is also the Vice President of India and according to the protocol, the government grows up in the post.
Congress in confusion after Dhankhar’s resignation
The last few sessions of the Rajya Sabha were a difficult test for Dhankhar, as they cooperated and suffered resentment of both sides. Opposition members accused Dhankar of biased, he moved a no -confidence motion against the chairman. In this case, Deputy Chairman ruled and dismissed a no -confidence motion against him.
Now the Congress is seen in confusion about the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. The members of India Block have a meeting of the leaders of the House at 10 am on Tuesday morning. In this meeting, the circumstances arising after the resignation of Dhankar will be considered.
What will happen now? Know 10 important things
- The post of Vice President has now become vacant, but it is not clear in the Constitution who will perform all the work of the Vice President in this situation.
- The work of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha can now be done by the Deputy Chairman or another member appointed by the President as per the Constitution.
- Under Article 66, the Vice President is elected through the proportionate representation system by the elected members of both houses of Parliament.
- The NDA has a majority in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, so it has to play a major role in the selection of the new candidate.
- Among the possible names, Harivansh Narayan Singh’s name is under discussion, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Janata Dal (United) and also believes in the government.
- For the post of Vice President, the candidate should be eligible to become a citizen of India, over 35 years of age and a member of Rajya Sabha.
- Any person who holds a “post of profit” under the Government of India, State Government or any local body is disqualified for this post.
- BJP sources say that “the party will choose a face that is strong and non-contact.”
- Reacting to the resignation, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The resignation of Dhankhar is as shocking, the more vague… there is definitely something else behind it.”
- After Dhankhar VV Giri and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, they have become the third Vice President who resigned before the completion of his term. Giri resigned to contest the presidential election in 1969, while Shekhawat left the post after losing the election in 2007.
Now everyone’s eyes are on who will be the next Vice President and whether this decision is a sign of any major change within the ruling party. Here the Congress said on Monday that the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is beyond comprehension and they should reconsider this decision, because this will be in the national interest. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh hoped that Prime Minister Modi will celebrate Dhankhar to change his mind. Ramesh posted on ‘X’, “The sudden resignation of the Vice President and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking, the more than understanding. I was with him with many other MPs till about five o’clock this evening and spoke to him on the phone at seven thirty in the evening.”
A political storm was taking shape
A political storm was taking shape just behind the political activities that looked normal from above. On Monday, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar accepted the notice of opposition members of the impeachment motion against Justice Verma. This happened at the same time (2 pm) when it was reported that more than 100 MPs from the ruling and opposition parties in the lower house have signed a notice of impeachment motion against Justice Verma.
Around 4:07 pm, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar gave detailed information about receiving notice from 63 opposition MPs on impeachment motion.
He reminded of the process when notices are given in both houses on impeachment motion against a judge. Dhankhar gave details of the process and also asked Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to confirm whether notice has been given in the lower house. Then he spoke about further action as per the formation and rules of a joint committee.
In this way, it is revealed that he did not indicate his health or any other intention to resign in his last address and attendance.
What was happening to Rajnath Singh’s house?
In the evening, there was a lot of stir in the Parliament outside Rajnath Singh’s office and meetings were also held. Sources say that BJP MP entered Rajnath’s office and went out without saying anything. A BJP MP said on the condition of anonymity that he was being signed on blank paper.
However, the opposition MPs were excited about this and were confident that the impeachment motion would first be brought to the Rajya Sabha as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is also the Vice President of India and according to the protocol, the government grows up in the post.
Congress in confusion after Dhankhar’s resignation
The last few sessions of the Rajya Sabha were a difficult test for Dhankhar, as they cooperated and suffered resentment of both sides. Opposition members accused Dhankar of biased, he moved a no -confidence motion against the chairman. In this case, Deputy Chairman ruled and dismissed a no -confidence motion against him.
Now the Congress is seen in confusion about the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. The members of India Block have a meeting of the leaders of the House at 10 am on Tuesday morning. In this meeting, the circumstances arising after the resignation of Dhankar will be considered.
‘Some more deep reasons behind this’
Jairam wrote, ‘It is clear that there has been some serious talk between 1 pm and 4:30 pm tomorrow, due to which JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju did not deliberately attend the evening meeting. Now, taking a very shocking step, Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post. He has told the reason for this to his health. We should respect it, but the truth is that there are some more deep reasons behind it.
‘Tried to place the opposition’
He further said that Dhankar always praised India after 2014, but also raised open voice for the interests of farmers. He criticized the growing ego in public life and emphasized the need for accountability and restraint of the judiciary. Even in the current ‘G2’ government, he tried to place the opposition as far as possible.
‘Rules, procedures and dignities were firm’
In the end, Jairam Ramesh said that he was sure of rules, procedures and dignities. He felt that these things were constantly being ignored in his role. Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation says a lot about him. At the same time, it also raises serious questions on the intention of those who took him to the post of Vice President.