New Delhi, India: The unexpected resignation of India’s Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has sparked widespread speculation over the underlying reasons behind the move.
Dhankhar, who also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, announced his resignation citing medical reasons. Dhankhar stepped down on the very first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, leaving both ruling and opposition leaders surprised. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which nominated him to the post in 2022, has not responded to the VP’s resignation decision.
In his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote that, “It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India’s remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honour.”
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.
श्री जगदीप धनखड़ जी को भारत के उपराष्ट्रपति सहित कई भूमिकाओं में देश की सेवा करने का अवसर मिला है। मैं उनके उत्तम…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 22, 2025
VP since 2022
Now 74, Dhankhar was appointed as Vice-President in August 2022 and was expected to serve until 2027. Interestingly, just hours before his resignation, he had actively presided over Rajya Sabha proceedings, sworn in new members, and even received an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, signed by over 50 MPs.
The motion was based on the discovery of large sums of cash at the judge’s home earlier this year. Justice Varma has denied wrongdoing by him or his family. Jagdeep Dhankhar was also scheduled to travel to Jaipur on Wednesday in his vice-presidential capacity. His official itinerary remained unchanged until the evening, when he abruptly submitted his resignation to the President.
The move triggered political reactions across party lines, especially among the opposition. Anand Dubey, spokesperson of the Shiv Sena (UBT), questioned the suddenness and remarked that, “What is going on in this government? This decision came without proper consultation or discussion. If health was the concern, the resignation could have been submitted a few days before the session or even after.”
Manish Tewari, an MP from the Congress Party, echoed this sentiment and stated that, “No doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health. But there is far more to his unexpected resignation than meets the eye.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the development ‘unprecedented’ and noted an incident earlier that day involving Dhankhar. According to Ramesh, two ministers skipped an advisory committee meeting chaired by the VP without informing him personally. Dhankhar reportedly took ‘umbrage’ at the lack of courtesy and postponed the meeting to Tuesday.
“Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation speaks highly of him. It also speaks poorly of who got him elected as vice president in the first instance,” Ramesh commented.
Beginning as an MP
A lawyer by profession, Jagdeep Dhankhar’s political journey began in 1989 when he was elected as an MP from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. He joined the BJP in 2003 and headed its legal cell. Later, in 2019, he was appointed Governor of West Bengal, where he frequently clashed with the Trinamool Congress government.
He stepped down as governor in 2022 after being nominated as Vice-President by the BJP. Earlier this year in March, Dhankhar underwent angioplasty in Delhi but quickly returned to his duties, remaining active until his resignation.
With the Vice-President’s post now vacant, his duties are expected to be temporarily handled by the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or a member nominated by the President.
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