00:00Jagdeep Dhankar shocked the nation by resigning from the post of Vice President of India
00:14suddenly on 21st of July 2025, citing health reasons.
00:18But political experts say there is much more brewing behind this surprise exit.
00:24So why Dhankar stepped down midway through his term, just weeks after publicly stating
00:30at an event in JNU that he intended to retire in 2027?
00:36The most straightforward and official theory is health-related.
00:40Dhankar, who is 74 years old, mentioned in his resignation letter to President Draupadi Murmu
00:45that prioritizing his health and following medical advice compelled him to step down immediately.
00:52He thanked the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of Parliament
00:57expressing pride in India's progress during his tenure.
01:02Reports confirm Dhankar had previously undergone treatment for cardiac problems on 9th of March.
01:08He had been rushed to Ames in Delhi after he complained of chest pain.
01:13But he was back in Parliament after a few days during the budget session.
01:18Given the demanding role of Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman,
01:22which requires sharp physical and mental stamina, this reason does hold some weight.
01:29Supporters say it's natural for someone in his position and age to take health seriously,
01:35especially when Parliament was entering a crucial monsoon session.
01:38But critics say he could have just put in his papers before the start of the monsoon session.
01:46Still, many find it abrupt that Dhankar had only two weeks earlier spoken about serving
01:52until August 2027, making the timing puzzling.
01:58Another view is that political and institutional frictions played a key role in Dhankar's exit.
02:04As chairman of Rajya Sabha, he accepted an opposition motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Verma,
02:11who was allegedly linked to a major cash recovery case.
02:16This move reportedly clashed with the government's strategy,
02:19which had planned to handle judicial corruption differently.
02:23Reports citing sources say that the government had planned to introduce an impeachment motion
02:27against Justice Verma in both the houses,
02:30a move they had expected to be a focal point of the Rajya Sabha's Business Advisory Committee agenda.
02:37Additionally, friction brewed after BJP's Kiran Rijiju and Party President J.P. Nadda
02:42skipped the BAC meeting, reportedly upsetting Dhankar.
02:46The meeting was a crucial one.
02:48It recommends the allocation of time for debates and legislative business.
02:52Nadda, however, said that the ministers were occupied with important work
02:56and had informed the Rajya Sabha chairperson beforehand.
03:00Nadda further sparked controversy when he told the Rajya Sabha that only
03:04what I say will go on record during the leader of opposition's speech,
03:08which many interpreted as disrespectful to the chair.
03:13Ever since he became the vice president in 2022,
03:16Dhankar has not minced words while criticizing judicial overreach
03:20and also condemning the Supreme Court for scraping the National Judicial Appointments Commission
03:26i.e. NJAC Act.
03:29Political observers also suggest that Dhankar's resignation could be a move
03:34in a larger strategic chess game ahead of Bihar elections.
03:38With the vice president's office vacant,
03:40the ruling NDA has the chance to induct a fresh face.
03:43Some reports suggest that Dhankar's exit can reportedly pave the way for Nitish Kumar
03:48to be the next vice president of India ahead of the Bihar elections.
03:53This will keep BJP in Nitish Kumar's good books.
03:56BJP MLA Haribushan Thakur said that it will be very good for Bihar
04:00if Nitish Kumar is made the vice president.
04:03This further fueled the rumors.
04:05After Dhankar's resignation,
04:10according to the rule's Rajya Sabha proceedings,
04:12were held under the chairmanship of the deputy chairperson,
04:16JTU's Harivansh Narayan Singh,
04:19who has been serving in the post since 2020.
04:22The silence from BGP ministers immediately after the resignation
04:26and the delayed tweet from Prime Minister Narendra Modi
04:29have fueled speculation
04:31that this was a carefully choreographed transition
04:34rather than a purely personal decision.
04:37The coming weeks will be crucial
04:38as the NDA nominates a successor
04:41and Rajya Sabha adjusts to new leadership.
