In a move that has sent ripples through India's political corridors, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Monday, July 21, 2025, citing health concerns. The abruptness of his departure, coming on the very first day of Parliament's Monsoon Session and with over two years remaining in his five-year term, has ignited a firestorm of speculation and sharp questioning from the Opposition.
Dhankhar, who also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, stating his decision was made to "prioritise health care and abide by medical advice." While his office confirmed the resignation was effective immediately, the timing and suddenness have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Dhankhar is only the third Vice President in India's history to resign before completing their term, with the previous two, V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, stepping down to contest presidential elections – a circumstance not applicable in Dhankhar's case.
The Opposition, particularly the Congress party, has been vocal in expressing its skepticism, suggesting that there are "far deeper reasons" behind his unexpected exit. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that he had interacted with Dhankhar just hours before the resignation and found him in "good jolly self," questioning what transpired between then and his decision to step down. Ramesh also highlighted Dhankhar's active role in processing two impeachment motions against a High Court judge just a day prior, hinting at possible links.
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, also expressed doubt over the health reason, remarking that Dhankhar appeared to be "a healthy man." Opposition leaders have pointed to the perceived lack of a dignified farewell and the relatively subdued reaction from the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as further reasons for their suspicions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief post on social media, wishing Dhankhar good health, was also described by the Opposition as a "non-post" that added to the mystery.
Sources within the Opposition have cited a curious sequence of events on the day of his resignation. They claim that Dhankhar had chaired a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Rajya Sabha at 12:30 PM, which was attended by senior ministers. He then rescheduled a follow-up BAC meeting for 4:30 PM, but reportedly, the senior ministers did not attend, and Dhankhar was not directly informed of their absence. This alleged slight, some speculate, could have contributed to his decision.
Beyond the immediate timing, Dhankhar's tenure as Rajya Sabha Chairman was marked by frequent confrontations with the Opposition. He often faced accusations of being partisan and of not allowing Opposition members sufficient speaking time, leading to several heated exchanges and even a motion to impeach him last year, which was ultimately rejected. This history adds another layer to the current speculation, with some suggesting that the pressures of the role or underlying disagreements may have played a part.
For now, the Vice President's office remains vacant, and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will preside over its proceedings. The Constitution mandates that an election to fill the vacancy must be held "as soon as possible." While the BJP-led NDA holds a clear majority in the electoral college for the Vice President, the suddenness of Dhankhar's departure ensures that the selection of his successor will be keenly watched.
As the political rumour mill churns, the Opposition continues to demand greater transparency regarding the true reasons behind Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation, underscoring the delicate balance of power and accountability in India's democratic framework.
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