Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President, Sparks Political Speculation

Political Turmoil Following Dhankhar's Resignation

The political landscape has been shaken following Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation from the Vice Presidency, citing health issues. This announcement has led to speculation among opposition parties, particularly the Congress, who believe there may be more to his resignation than meets the eye. The Congress party stated that Dhankhar's resignation speaks volumes about his tenure and raises serious questions regarding the intentions of those who elevated him to the Vice Presidency. Let's take a closer look at Jagdeep Dhankhar's time in office, as he becomes the second Vice President to resign while in office.

A Vice President Who Challenged the Judiciary

Known for his outspoken nature, Jagdeep Dhankhar frequently clashed with the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, particularly on issues concerning the separation of powers. At 74, he resigned after a significant day in the Rajya Sabha, citing health reasons. Earlier this month, he mentioned that he would retire at the right time, as per divine will.

Health Concerns Prompt Resignation

In March, Dhankhar was hospitalized for a few days, and there were instances when his health appeared to be deteriorating. However, he often seemed energetic during public events, including those in Parliament. His resignation comes nearly two years before the end of his term, coinciding with a surprising day in the Rajya Sabha, where an opposition-sponsored notice for the removal of Justice Yashwant Verma was presented.

A Setback for the Ruling Coalition

This development is a setback for the ruling coalition, which had sponsored a similar notice in the Lok Sabha, involving the opposition as well. Dhankhar was the candidate for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2022 Vice Presidential elections. He is now the third Vice President in India's history to resign from the position, following V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, who stepped down to contest presidential elections.

Controversial Tenure and Political Affiliations

Dhankhar will also be remembered as the only Vice President against whom the opposition accused of biased conduct as the Chairman of the Upper House, leading to a notice for his removal. This notice was dismissed by Deputy Chairman Harivansh. Ignoring the notice, Dhankhar referred to it as a rusty vegetable cutter used for bypass surgery. He had been associated with the Janata Dal and Congress before joining the BJP in 2008 after nearly a decade.

He advocated for various issues concerning backward classes, including granting OBC status to the Jat community in Rajasthan. His surprising appointment as the Governor of West Bengal in 2019 brought him back into the political spotlight, where he frequently clashed with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Dhankhar took the opposition to task on several issues, from disruptions in the Rajya Sabha to the passage of bills without discussion.

Legal Career and Political Journey

As a lawyer, he played a significant role in securing bail for actor Salman Khan in the blackbuck case. Before assuming the governorship in July 2019, he represented various cases in different High Courts across the country. Dhankhar, who has a keen interest in spirituality and meditation, began his political journey with the Janata Dal and won a seat in the Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, during the 1989 elections amidst the Bofors scandal.

He served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs during Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar's tenure. Initially influenced by Devi Lal, he later joined the Congress during P.V. Narasimha Rao's administration. After his term in the Rajasthan Assembly, he focused on his legal career, practicing law in the Supreme Court. When nominated as the NDA candidate for Vice President, the BJP referred to him as a 'farmer's son,' aiming to connect with the politically significant Jat community, which had participated in the farmers' protests against agricultural reforms initiated in June 2020.

Engagement with Farmers and Criticism of Government

After being elected Vice President, Dhankhar met with various farmer groups in the National Capital, Haryana, and Rajasthan, urging them to expand beyond agriculture into food processing and marketing to enhance their income. At one point, his remarks seemed to sharply criticize the Modi government. Speaking at a ceremony in December 2024 to commemorate the centenary of ICAR-CIRCOT in Mumbai, he questioned the Agriculture Minister about unfulfilled promises made to farmers, highlighting ongoing farmer unrest.

He expressed concern over the plight of farmers, stating, 'When this is happening, why is my farmer troubled and suffering? The farmer is helpless.' Born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana village, Jhunjhunu district, Dhankhar received his education on a scholarship at the Sainik School in Chittorgarh.