Vice President Dhankhar Resigns Unexpectedly: Health Reason or Hidden Agenda?

New Delhi (India) July 22: The opposition is shocked by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's abrupt resignation. Dhankar cites health issues for his unexpected resignation. 

No Hint in Speech

The resignation has also sparked a lot of suspicion in political circles. According to reports, Dhankhar made no mention of any health issues or resignation plans. Even though he spoke with a number of senior leaders before his announcement.

Different parties have responded differently to Jagdeep Dhankar's abrupt retirement. The Congress states that there is "far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye."

There have also been questions about the announcement's timing. It came on the first day of Parliament's Monsoon Session.

Congress Raises Doubts

Jairam Ramesh is a senior Congress leader who has frequently argued with Dhankhar in the Rajya Sabha. He says that he had a phone conversation with Dhankhar two hours before the resignation announcement. 

According to Ramesh, Dhankhar was with his family and didn't seem to be unhealthy. They also added that they planned to talk the next day.

Ramesh posted, “The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable. I was with him alongside a number of other MPs till around 5 PM today and had spoken to him over the phone at 7:30 PM. No doubt Mr. Dhankar has to give topmost priority to his health. But clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye. This is not the time for speculation though,” on social media platform X.

Dhankar didn't even mention his health or his decision to quit in his last speech or presence in the House.

Leaders Seen at Defence Minister’s Office

The ruling group and opposition leaders have immediately started strategic discussions in response to the resignation. There was a lot of movement outside the office of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. A number of BJP Members of Parliament were apparently going in and out without saying anything. 

According to sources, some blank paperwork was also signed. There are no updates on the specifics. It increases the mystery surrounding what happened that day.

It seems unlikely that Dhankar will be serving as the Rajya Sabha's ex-officio Chairman on Tuesday. His resignation, which was sent to President Droupadi Murmu, took effect immediately.

There have been many controversial incidents during Dhankhar's time as vice president. It includes charges of bias from opposition members. The charges resulted in a motion of no-confidence against him.

Aadrika Tayal