Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns, Citing Health Concerns

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his resignation on July 23, 2025, citing health concerns as the primary reason for his decision. At 74 years old, Dhankhar previously spent four days in March at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi due to cardiac-related ailments. He returned to public life following his hospital stay but has now chosen to prioritize his health based on medical advice.

The announcement came after a closed-door meeting between Prime Minister and senior ministers earlier in the day, suggesting that the decision may have broader implications than just health. Dhankhar’s tenure as Vice-President and chairman of the Rajya Sabha was relatively short, lasting less than three years.

Unexpected Resignation Sparks Speculation

The timing of Dhankhar’s departure raised eyebrows, particularly as he had just issued a statement regarding planned official travel to Jaipur shortly before his resignation. He was also present in Parliament when he revealed that he received a letter signed by over 50 Members of Parliament calling for the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. This move caught the government off guard, as the letter included signatures from opposition MPs, which Dhankhar acknowledged and instructed the Secretary-General to address.

Speculation about political motivations behind his resignation has emerged, particularly regarding Dhankhar’s recent interactions with opposition leaders. He was seen meeting Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress party and hosting Arvind Kejriwal for discussions, raising questions about his alignment within the political landscape.

Background and Political Career

Born in 1951 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, Dhankhar comes from a farmer’s family in the Jat community. He began his legal career in 1979, becoming a prominent advocate in the Supreme Court and various High Courts, and served as President of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association. Transitioning to politics in the 1990s, he was elected as a Lok Sabha MP from Jhunjhunu with the Janata Dal and later became Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs under the Chandra Shekhar government. In 2003, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In 2019, Dhankhar was appointed the Governor of West Bengal, where he frequently clashed with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He took office as India’s 14th Vice-President on August 11, 2022, known for his firm leadership style, which some described as partisan. His tenure was marked by notable political tensions, including an unprecedented impeachment motion filed by opposition parties in December 2024. Dhankhar expressed disappointment regarding this move, stating that he felt hurt by the opposition’s actions.

As Dhankhar steps down, the government now faces the challenge of electing a new Vice-President within the next 60 days. His resignation coincides with the start of an important monsoon session of Parliament, where significant discussions, including Operation Sindoor and the impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma, are on the agenda. In the interim, Harivansh, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, will assume Dhankhar’s responsibilities for the duration of the session.

The Election Commission will soon announce the schedule for the Vice-Presidential election, which will be conducted through a secret ballot involving only MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. As political analysts speculate about potential candidates, the central question remains: who will the government select as the next Vice-President?