New Delhi, July 23: India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday, citing medical reasons, in a move the opposition Congress party described as “totally unexpected” and raising questions about the timing and motive behind the decision.
Dhankhar, 74, submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu with immediate effect. He had assumed office in August 2022, and his term was scheduled to run until 2027. As Vice President, he also served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament.
The resignation came on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. According to Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, Dhankhar had been active throughout the day and was expected to chair a Business Advisory Committee meeting and make announcements related to the judiciary on Tuesday.
“The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable,” Ramesh said in a post on social media platform X. “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.”
He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to persuade Dhankhar to reconsider his decision, saying it would be in the nation’s interest, especially for the farming community.
Meanwhile, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said the resignation should be respected if it was truly for health reasons. “We have to accept that and move forward,” he told reporters. He called Dhankhar a “nationalist” and praised his fairness in conducting proceedings in the upper house, despite political differences.
Dhankhar’s resignation comes amid growing political activity ahead of key legislative decisions and heightened parliamentary scrutiny. His departure leaves a significant constitutional vacancy at a time of intense legislative debate. The government has not yet responded officially to the resignation.
