Indian vice president’s resignation sparks speculation b

New Delhi – July 22, 2025
In a sudden development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from office effective immediately, citing medical reasons and the need to “prioritise health care and follow medical advice” in his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, invoking Article 67(a) of the Constitution

Dhankhar, who assumed office in August 2022, had more than two years remaining in his term and had publicly affirmed his intention to complete it during remarks just 11 days earlier

⚖️ Constitutional Implications & Vacancy Timeline

• Resignation accepted: President Murmu formally accepted Dhankhar’s resignation, with a notification to the Home Ministry pending issuance

• According to Article 68, a vice-presidential election must be held “as soon as possible”, generally within a six-month window  Until a new vice president is elected, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha performs the role of chairperson in the upper house

????️ Political Reactions & Emerging Speculation

???? Opposition Expresses Doubts

Opposition figures, including Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, have questioned the abruptness of Dhankhar’s decision, citing his active presence in Parliament earlier that day and the scheduled Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting he had set up

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly cast doubt on the health explanation, stating, “He is a healthy man… aur kuch garbar hai (there is more to it).” Her statement implies political undercurrents may have influenced the resignation 

???? Family Seals It With Context

Dhankhar’s brother-in-law and legal counsel, Praveen Balwada, dismissed speculation, emphasizing the resignation was grounded in genuine health issues, with no external political pressure involved

???? Behind-the-Scenes Tensions & Procedural Flashpoint

Media reports suggest Dhankhar’s decision may have been driven by conflict over parliamentary protocol. As a Rajya Sabha Chairman, he accepted an opposition motion to impeach High Court Justice Yashwant Varma—a move reportedly not coordinated with the government, causing internal friction and prompting emergency consultations behind the scenes

Dhankhar's assertiveness is said to have thrown timelines and strategy off course for the government-led motion, raising speculation about tensions with central leadership 

???? Precedents & Political Fallout

Dhankhar now joins two rare predecessors—VV Giri (1969) and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2007)—who resigned mid-term, though both did so to contest presidential elections. Dhankhar’s resignation diverges in citing health as the primary reason 

Political analysts anticipate Dhankhar’s departure to catalyse a major reshuffle within the BJP and central government, possibly affecting leadership roles and strategy in the run-up to future elections

???? What Happens Next?

• Vice-presidential election: The Election Commission is expected to initiate the electoral process within days, with final voting by MPs from both houses likely within 30 days 

• Possible successors: Names such as former VP Venkaiah Naidu and current Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh are reportedly under consideration 

???? Conclusion

The sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar—framed around health concerns—has sent shockwaves through Indian politics. Despite official explanations, speculation about political discord, procedural clashes, and internal strategy continues to swirl. The next vice-presidential election will be closely watched as India seeks both continuity and clarity in its constitutional leadership.