Why India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned suddenly? Inside the political storm

Dubai: In an unexpected political twist, India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Monday night, jolting the country’s political establishment and triggering a whirlwind of speculation.

The 74-year-old, who also serves as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, cited health reasons in his letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Indian media reports said.

Yet, the timing — just hours after he presided over the opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and accepted an explosive impeachment notice against a sitting high court judge — has raised eyebrows across party lines.

The move came on a day packed with parliamentary drama. Dhankhar oversaw the swearing-in of new members and accepted a notice backed by over 50 opposition MPs to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma.

The judge has been under scrutiny since a large stash of cash was discovered at his residence earlier this year — a case he has publicly denied any wrongdoing in.

But according to political insiders, what followed behind closed doors may have set off Dhankhar’s dramatic exit.

NDTV sources suggest a tense phone call from the Centre objecting to Dhankhar’s handling of the impeachment notice. The Vice President, known for his legal acumen and assertive demeanor, reportedly defended his constitutional powers in the call.

Soon after, murmurs of a government-led no-confidence motion against Dhankhar began circulating. Rather than face potential embarrassment or a public standoff, the veteran politician acted swiftly — resigning before the political undercurrents could surface further.

His official letter, shared on social media at 9:25pm., expressed gratitude to the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Parliament members. “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign... effective immediately,” he wrote, making no mention of the controversy.

Residents of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s native village, Kithana in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, expressed shock over his resignation.

His relative, Harendra Dhankhar, told ANI, “We were deeply shocked... He underwent angioplasty in March, and his health deteriorated again during a recent trip to Uttarakhand.”

He noted that Dhankar had extended financial support to local schools and cowsheds, and villagers were proud when “a farmer’s son became Vice President.”

The community is now praying for his recovery. “Everyone is praying for his health,” Harendra added.

Village Sarpanch Subhita Dhankar said, “We hope he recovers soon and rises to even higher positions. Health is most important.”

The BJP, which nominated him for the role in 2022, has remained tight-lipped. Prime Minister Modi later posted a brief note wishing Dhankhar good health, acknowledging his long service to the nation.

Opposition reactions, meanwhile, ranged from intrigue to scepticism. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called the move “unprecedented,” while another Congress leader, Manish Tewari, said the resignation was “totally unexpected” and “clearly... more than meets the eye.”

There was also speculation that the absence of BJP ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from a crucial advisory committee meeting earlier that day may have added to Dhankhar’s frustrations. The Vice President reportedly rescheduled the meeting after taking umbrage at not being informed in advance.

Both ministers later said their absence was communicated and unrelated to any perceived slight. Nadda also clarified that a controversial remark in the Rajya Sabha — “Only what I say will go on record” — was aimed at heckling MPs, not Dhankhar.

Despite the swirl of conjecture, Dhankhar’s resignation has now been accepted. The Rajya Sabha will be presided over by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh until a new Vice President is elected.

Ten days before his resignation, Dhankhar had publicly stated he would complete his term ending in 2027, “subject to divine intervention.”

Whether divine or political, that intervention has now come — leaving behind a puzzle that Parliament and the public are still trying to piece together.