'I will retire at the right time, in 2027, if God wills!'— these were the words of Jagdeep Dhankhar at a program at JNU University in Delhi just 12 days ago. However, on Monday (July 21), he surprised everyone by resigning as Vice President. He submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu on the first day of Parliament's monsoon session, citing health reasons.
The opposition, which frequently criticized Jagdeep Dhankhar and even brought an impeachment motion against him, was taken aback by this decision. Opposition parties suggest that there might be more to the story that is not apparent.
No Statement, No Congratulatory Message — Silence from BJP
Following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, neither the government nor the Vice President's office issued any official statement. This initiated a wave of speculation in political circles.
The BJP ministers also refrained from making any significant comments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who once called Dhankhar a 'son of a farmer' and an 'inspirational leader,' only tweeted about the resignation 15 hours later on the social media platform X.
Source: aajtak
Health Concerns Raised, But Timing Questioned
It's true that Jagdeep Dhankhar had been unwell for some time and recently underwent treatment for cardiac issues. His resignation on the monsoon session's first day was a shocker. An opposition leader remarked that he could have resigned before the session started if that was the plan.
In a press release issued at 4 PM on Monday by the Vice President's Secretariat, it was mentioned that he is planning to visit Jaipur this week, further deepening the mystery.
Let's Explore The Sudden Resignation: Three Prominent Theories Behind Jagdeep Dhankhar's Decision
A Political Move for Bihar Elections?
Bihar is set for assembly elections this year. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eager to expand its footstep in these elections. Speculations suggest that Dhankhar's resignation clears the path for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to become Vice President.
The BJP aims to win more seats in Bihar this time. Making Nitish the Vice President could be a political strategy to keep him on their side.
BJP legislator Haribhushan Thakur also fuelled this speculation, stating, 'If Nitish Kumar becomes Vice President, it will be great for Bihar.'
Source: aajtak
On Tuesday, Dhankhar didn’t preside over the Rajya Sabha. Instead, JDU's Harivansh Narayan Singh, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha since 2020, will oversee the proceedings. Having a leader from Bihar run higher house proceedings could be electorally beneficial for the NDA.
Was Insult the Real Reason?
Another theory is that the incidents on the first day of the monsoon session might be the reason behind Dhankhar's resignation.
Dhankhar accepted a notice from 68 opposition MPs seeking the removal of Judge Yashwant Verma, which took place during the government’s introduction of an important proposal in the Lok Sabha without getting the limelight.
Following this, two senior ministers from BJP — JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju — did not attend a crucial meeting of the Rajya Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC), intended to decide Parliament's schedule.
JP Nadda stated that both ministers were preoccupied and notified Dhankhar in advance. Congress called Nadda's remark as an 'insult.' Amidst opposition chaos, Nadda was heard saying, 'On record, only my statement will stand.'
Nadda clarified that his remark was directed toward opposition MPs, not the Vice President.
Ongoing Clashes with Judiciary Also a Cause?
Another theory points toward Dhankhar's ongoing sharp criticism of the judiciary, making the government uncomfortable.
He condemned the Supreme Court for nullifying the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, accusing the judiciary of overstepping constitutional boundaries.
His statements were often seen as echoing the government's stance, leading to criticism of the administration.
While these theories persist, it is also plausible that Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation indeed stems from genuine health concerns.
