‘Far More Than Meets The Eye’ Opposition After Jagdeep Dhankhar Resignation
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday citing health reasons, in a move that stunned the Opposition and triggered speculation about possible underlying reasons for his sudden decision. The resignation, which came on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu and took immediate effect under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
In his resignation letter, the 74-year-old stated, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately.”
The timing of the resignation has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, expressing shock, said he had met Dhankhar earlier in the day and had a conversation with him before the announcement. “No doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health. But, clearly, there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye,” Ramesh said, while urging the Prime Minister to persuade Dhankhar to reconsider his decision.
Ramesh highlighted that Dhankhar had scheduled a Business Advisory Committee meeting for Tuesday and was expected to make key announcements related to the judiciary, adding to the puzzlement around the timing of his resignation.
The Congress described the move as abrupt, suggesting that reversing the resignation would serve the nation’s interests, particularly benefiting the farming community. Meanwhile, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said the resignation was “quite unexpected” and hinted that Dhankhar might have been dissatisfied with certain developments, adding that he does not believe the President will accept the resignation easily.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, while expressing personal sadness over Dhankhar’s exit, stated that the Vice President’s reasons should be respected. “He is a nationalist and patriot. He wanted the opposition and the government to work together to enhance India’s standing in the world,” Sibal said, recalling Dhankhar’s openness in giving Opposition leaders time to speak in the House.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey also expressed concern over Dhankhar’s health but noted the unusual timing of the resignation, questioning why it was announced on the first day of the Monsoon Session.
The sudden departure of Dhankhar, who served actively in his role, including presiding over Rajya Sabha proceedings and engaging in parliamentary affairs, comes at a critical juncture as the Monsoon Session began, setting off debates on its potential impact on upcoming legislative business.
Dhankhar, who took office as Vice President in August 2022, was known for his assertive role in the Upper House and his frequent emphasis on the need for parliamentary decorum and dialogue between the government and the Opposition.
