Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit triggers political chatter

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation on Monday, citing health concerns, has left the political establishment abuzz with speculation. Just 12 days ago, Dhankhar had declared his intent to serve until August 2027 “subject to divine intervention,” making his sudden departure all the more puzzling.

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No official statement from the Vice President’s office or the government followed, and the BJP remained silent for over 15 hours before Prime Minister Modi’s eventual post. The resignation came after a turbulent first day of the Monsoon Session in Parliament, raising eyebrows even among his staunchest critics.

Though Dhankhar has a known history of cardiac issues, opposition leaders questioned the timing, pointing to a press release earlier that day announcing his upcoming travel plans. His absence from Tuesday’s Rajya Sabha proceedings and the quick handover to JD(U)’s Harivansh Narayan Singh have also been viewed through a political lens.

Theories behind his resignation include:

1. A pre-election reshuffle, potentially to pave the way for Nitish Kumar as Vice President ahead of Bihar polls.
2. Tensions with BJP leadership after Dhankhar admitted an opposition-backed judicial impeachment motion, reportedly upsetting party strategy.
3. Strained ties with the judiciary, following his repeated criticism of judicial overreach and the Supreme Court’s NJAC verdict.

While official clarity remains elusive, Dhankhar’s exit has added yet another layer of intrigue to the already tense political landscape.