In a surprising political move, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post, citing health concerns. He submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on July 21, which took immediate effect under Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution.
Dhankhar, who became the 14th Vice President in August 2022, stated in his letter that he was stepping down to prioritize his health following medical advice. His resignation coincided with the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, making the timing significant.
Earlier that day, Dhankhar chaired the opening session of the Rajya Sabha but submitted his resignation soon after, surprising leaders across both ruling and opposition parties. Sources revealed that he had faced multiple health issues recently, including a cardiac procedure at AIIMS in March and a fainting incident during a public event in June.
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Harivansh to Act as VP Temporarily; Opposition Questions Dhankhar’s Resignation
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh will temporarily manage the upper house’s functions until the Parliament elects a new Vice President. According to the Constitution, members of both Houses of Parliament will form an electoral college to choose the next Vice President.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has started internal discussions to select potential successors. Meanwhile, opposition parties, especially the Indian National Congress, have questioned the real reasons behind Dhankhar’s sudden resignation. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that “the reasons may be far deeper than just health issues” and demanded greater transparency.
The Election Commission plans to announce the Vice Presidential election schedule soon. If accepted without dispute, this resignation will mark the first time in independent India’s history that a sitting Vice President has resigned before completing the term.