New Delhi: Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post on Monday (July 21), effective immediately, citing "medical advice".

There is a swirl of speculation surrounding the resignation of the holder of India's second-highest constitutional positions. In the initial 15 hours since his note on X, there had not been any public acknowledgements of his move – nor any good wishes for his health – from key position-holders in the government. Then, at 12.13 pm, prime minister Narendra Modi wrote a curt post on X, noting that Dhankhar "has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India." He then wished him "good health."

Modi's post came after he had already wished Maharashtra leaders Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis for their birthdays.

Last night, in a surprise post on X, Dhankhar made public his letter to the President, in which he said:

"To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution. I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency – the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure."

Thanking the prime minister, council of ministers and parliamentarians, he added, "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 honor."

"As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future," he wrote.

No indication of impending resignation

Earlier on Monday, Dhankhar showed no indication of his impending resignation.

Before the end of the day's proceedings Dhankhar informed members about a notice of motion he had received seeking the constitution of a statutory committee for the removal of High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma-– at whose house charred currency notes were discovered. Verma has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the in-house inquiry committee’s report indicting him in the case.

Dhankhar said that the motion had been signed by over 50 MPs while  MoS law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal informed him that 152 Lok Sabha MPs had signed a motion to the Speaker.

Dhankhar explained the procedure to set up the statutory committee, and read out the relevant provisions from the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which come into play if a similar motion is submitted in both Houses on the same day.

He also referred to a motion he had received in December seeking the removal of a judge of the Allahabad high court. While Dhankhar did not name him, he was referring to Justice Shekhar Yadav against whom an impeachment notice was signed by over 50 MPs against his communal remarks.

“I examined it and found that one member had signed at two places. So while the motion claimed support from 55 members, it was actually only 54,” said Dhankhar.

Dhankhar said that an inquiry was conducted and the member who had allegedly signed twice denied doing so. He also said that he will discuss the matter with Floor leaders of the House "with respect to such transgressions".

Earlier on Monday, at the start of the session Dhankhar led the house in offered tributes to those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, and lauded the armed forces for their actions during Operation Sindoor. He also led the House in offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Air India crash last month.

Dhankhar also urged all political parties to act with bonhomie in the session.

"A thriving democracy cannot sustain constant acrimony. Political tension must be reduced, as confrontation is not the essence of politics. While political parties may pursue the same goals through different approaches, no one in India opposes the nation's interests," he said.

"I urge all political parties to foster bonhomie and mutual respect, avoiding unbecoming language or personal attacks against leaders on television or elsewhere. Such behavior contradicts our civilizational essence.”

A contentious tenure

Dhankhar assumed the office as the 14th vice president in August 2022, after defeating the opposition candidate former Rajasthan governor Margaret Alva. His tenure as the Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman was marked by confrontation with the opposition benches.

In December, the INDIA bloc moved a notice to remove Dhankhar from office citing partisan behaviour and his decisions to not allow opposition voices to be heard in the House. The no-confidence motion motion was later dismissed by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, citing “procedural impropriety” and attempts to “malign the incumbent Vice President.” 

In August, too, a similar motion was planned by the opposition to remove Dhankhar but no notice was submitted. 

In recent months, Dhankhar had led a tirade against the judiciary. In April, Dhankhar said that judges are acting as “super parliament” and have no accountability “because the law of the land does not apply to them.” Dhankhar called Article 142 – which gives powers to the apex court – a “nuclear missile against democratic forces” and said that there cannot be a situation where the President of India is given directions by the judiciary.

He had also made critical comments against the judiciary during the budget session of parliament after the discovery of cash at Justice Varma’s official residence.

Prior to becoming the vice president, Dhankhar had acquired infamy as West Bengal governor due to his prolonged confrontation with the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in the state. Dhankhar as governor had routinely targeted the state government and the TMC on issues ranging from allegations of corruption, political violence and politicisation of the administration and academic institutions to an alleged undemocratic attitude. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), in response, repeatedly branded Dhankhar as the “real leader of the opposition”.

He has earlier also served as the Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs during the Chandra Shekhar government from 1990 to 1991, and as a member of Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991, and as a member of the Rajasthan legislative assembly between 1993 and 1998. A lawyer by profession, Dhankhar has been affiliated with parties across the political spectrum including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and the Janata Dal.

Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

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