New Delhi – Jagdeep Dhankhar, India’s 14th Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, resigned from office on Monday evening, citing medical advice. His resignation, effective immediately, comes nearly two years before completing his term.
In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote,
“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”
He also extended his gratitude to the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their support during his tenure.
At 74, Dhankhar leaves behind a legacy of being an outspoken leader who often found himself at the centre of political confrontations. His time in the second-highest constitutional post was marked by regular run-ins with the Opposition and bold statements against the judiciary, especially on the issue of separation of powers. Earlier this month, he had hinted at retirement, saying he would step down at the “right time,” subject to “divine interventions.”
His resignation has sparked political chatter, with the Congress remarking that the reasons may go deeper than just health concerns.
In his farewell note, Dhankhar said:
“I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy. It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India’s remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honour.”
Born in Kithana, a small village in Rajasthan, Dhankhar came from a farming family. A student of Sainik School, Chittorgarh, and later Rajasthan University, he began his career as a lawyer in the Rajasthan High Court and later the Supreme Court before venturing into politics.
He entered the political arena during PV Narasimha Rao’s tenure with the Congress, but later moved to the BJP during shifting political tides in Rajasthan. He briefly served as a minister in Chandrashekhar’s government and became a strong voice for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), particularly advocating for OBC status for Jats in Rajasthan.
Dhankhar returned to the national spotlight in 2019 when he was appointed Governor of West Bengal. His tenure in the Raj Bhavan was combative, marked by frequent confrontations with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over governance, federalism, law and order, and university appointments.
His assertive approach continued in the Rajya Sabha, where he often clashed with Opposition leaders. Notably, he became the first Vice President to face an attempt at removal by the Opposition — a move he dismissed, comparing it to “using a rusted vegetable knife for bypass surgery.”
In the August 2022 Vice-Presidential election, Dhankhar defeated Opposition candidate Margaret Alva, securing 528 of 710 valid votes — a commanding 74.37%, the highest victory margin since 1992. He officially assumed office in August 2022.
Dhankhar’s resignation places him alongside VV Giri and R Venkataraman, both of whom also resigned from the Vice Presidency before completing their terms — and later went on to become Presidents of India.
With Dhankhar’s unexpected exit, the focus now shifts to who will be nominated to fill the constitutional vacancy as the Parliament continues its Monsoon Session. The impact of his departure and the political discourse surrounding it are likely to be felt in the days to come.
