VP Jagdeep Dhankhar resignation leaves political circles abuzz

New Delhi:  The surprise resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar  on the evening of first day of Monsoon Session of Parliament has created subdued simmers and  ripples in the political circles on Raisina Hills. VP Dhankhar wrote a legthy letter to the President of India, citing health reasons for his abrupt decesion  to quit the No.2 Constitutional post of Indian democracy.

Through his letter to President Draopadi Murmu, VP Dhankhar has expressed his thanks to the  Presdent, PM Modi and his cabinet members for  respect and  cooperation he got  during his  3 years tenure. He became  Vice President in August 2022 and  has  his tenure upto  July  2027.

Although the Vice President has been  very  critical about  current political  atmosphere in the country, especially from the Oppostion circles,  judiciary and other social issues.  Recently, he criticised the Supreme Court  judgement advising   the President of India  and Governor of a State to  decide on Bills  passed by an Assembly, in a period (three months for  the Presdent and one month for the Governor) Tamil Nadu govt’s appeal. On many issues like Operation Sindoor, political freebies, corruption etc. his reactions as  a Statesman, were taken  supportive the NDA Govt. Opposition leaders were seen doing his mimicry,  bowing to the ruling NDA’s  ‘dictats’.

Even as VP Dhankhar had been  admitted to  AIIMS Delhi  a  few months back,  and was undergoing treatment,  he was looking hail and healthy in the Rajya Sabha in the morning, conducting the Upper House proceedings on opening day of the Session, he  attended a meeting of  Members of Parliament at 6 p.m. today, it was never  visible, he was feeling uncomfortable.  so his resignation leaves many questions open to speculation.

His long time legal and political associate,  and senior leader of  JDU  KC Tyagi, reacted with a surprise, and refused to give any clue to the development. He planned to meet VP Dhankhar in a day or so.  Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan, NCP (Ajit) leaders Prafull Patel were  unsure on the reason to Quit the prestegious post. Both  refused to speculate any other reason than the medical advice for  the VP’s resignation.

A senior journalist of Delhi, with over 40 years of Parliamentary reporting and having been close to Delhi’s Corridors of Power for half a century,  cited today’s proceedings in the Upper House as a major cause for VP Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation. He averred, the Vice President  felt miffed by BJP leader JP Nadda’s reactions to  former allowing  Leader of Opposition in RS, Mallikarjun Kharge speak about Operation Sindoor on day 1, as it was decided to have full  9 hour discussion in the Upper House later .  He also felt massive corruption in the Rajya Sabha TV, as  VP’s annoyance towards Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (read Union  Govt.)

Though the  unearthing of  real reasons behind  the abrupt resignation by the Vice President  may take a couple of days, there is going to be a big embarassment for the Modi Govt. and  ruling NDA.  Finding his successor  might take its time and toll. Would the BJP  appoint  one its senior  leaders  to the post  or NDA Coalition partners  would  demand   their share in power or  the Opposition INDI  gathbandhan  would make the fight more  interesting, remains a million dollar question !                                                                                                                                — Editor