India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Mid-Term, Prompting Political Unrest

In a surprising political development, Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President of India, tendered his resignation on July 21, citing health concerns as the official reason. His departure, coming less than three years into his five-year term, has ignited a wave of speculation and unrest across India’s political landscape.

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, accepted the resignation on Monday afternoon, just as the Monsoon Session of Parliament began. Dhankhar, who also served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, submitted his resignation under Article 67(a) of the Constitution. He stated that he had been advised by doctors to step down from all official responsibilities due to serious medical issues. No additional details regarding his health were provided.

Despite the formal explanation, opposition parties were quick to raise questions about the timing and motivations behind the move. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the resignation “deeply troubling” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convince Dhankhar to reconsider. In Jharkhand, the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance demanded a full explanation from the government, warning that the resignation cast a shadow over parliamentary stability and democratic transparency.

The reaction was particularly intense in Rajasthan, Dhankhar’s home state. Members of the politically influential Jat community—who had strongly supported his rise to the vice presidency—expressed dissatisfaction, calling the resignation a betrayal. Some regional leaders alleged that Dhankhar had been pushed aside for internal political reasons, possibly to weaken agrarian and caste-based blocs ahead of upcoming elections.

Dhankhar’s tenure as Vice President had not been without controversy. A former Governor of West Bengal and a seasoned lawyer, he was known for frequent confrontations with opposition lawmakers during parliamentary debates. In December 2024, he faced a rare motion of no confidence brought forward by opposition parties, who accused him of partisanship and overreach in his role as Rajya Sabha Chairman. Although the motion did not move forward, it marked a significant challenge to his authority and foreshadowed tensions that never fully subsided.

Critics also point to a series of remarks made by Dhankhar during his time in office that provoked public and institutional backlash. He had openly criticized the judiciary and suggested that military affairs should be more transparent to the legislature—statements that led to condemnation from across the political spectrum.

In the immediate aftermath of his resignation, Deputy Chairman Harivansh has stepped in to preside over the Rajya Sabha. According to constitutional procedure, a new Vice President must be elected by a joint vote of both houses of Parliament. While no official election date has been announced, it is expected that the process will be expedited to maintain continuity in the legislative leadership.

Dhankhar’s resignation marks the latest in a series of abrupt exits by high-profile figures affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly those with roots in the erstwhile Janata Dal political tradition. Analysts suggest that while these leaders have been instrumental during electoral mobilization, they often find themselves sidelined once broader political consolidation is achieved.

As India enters a crucial legislative period with general elections on the horizon, Dhankhar’s exit leaves a vacuum at the heart of Parliament. It also opens up new questions about internal dynamics within the BJP, the future of caste-based political alliances, and the integrity of constitutional offices in an increasingly polarized political climate.