Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Amid Health Concerns and Political Speculation

New Delhi, July 2025 – Jagdeep Dhankhar, who took office as the 14th Vice President of India in August 2022, has stepped down from his post citing health concerns. His resignation was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu and took immediate effect. In his official communication, Dhankhar stated that he needed to focus on his health and follow medical advice.

A Rare Mid-Term Resignation

Dhankhar’s resignation marks only the third time a sitting Vice President has resigned before completing their five-year term. Prior to him, VV Giri in 1969 and Ramaswamy Venkataraman in 1987 resigned mid-term, both of whom went on to become President of India. Such a development is unusual and has raised discussions across political and legal spheres.

Constitutional Procedure and Interim Arrangement

According to Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, the office of the Vice President becomes vacant upon resignation, and a new election must be held as soon as possible. Until a new Vice President is elected, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is expected to oversee parliamentary responsibilities in the Upper House.

The election of the Vice President is conducted by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament using a secret ballot and single transferable vote system.

Speculations Around Resignation

While the official reason for Dhankhar’s resignation is health-related, political observers suggest deeper issues. There is speculation that Dhankhar’s acceptance of an impeachment motion against a sitting judge—without informing the government—may have strained relations with the ruling leadership. Opposition parties have hinted that this could have triggered his resignation.

Some political leaders have claimed that the reasons go “far beyond” health, suggesting possible internal conflict or dissent within higher echelons of power.

Reactions and Impact

The news of Dhankhar’s resignation has caused a stir, especially in Rajasthan, his home state, where members of the Jat community—an influential political bloc—have expressed discontent. Many believe that his exit may be politically motivated, especially with key elections around the corner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders have acknowledged Dhankhar’s contributions and wished him well. The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the Vice Presidential election soon.

Conclusion

Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation has created a constitutional vacancy and sparked political debate. While officially attributed to health concerns, the timing and surrounding circumstances have led to wider discussions about governance, judiciary, and internal party dynamics. The country now awaits the nomination and election of a new Vice President to take on the responsibilities of the second-highest constitutional office in India.