Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Abruptly, Citing Health; Is There More Than Meets the Eye and Who Succeeds Him?

New Delhi, July 22, 2025 — In a sudden and unprecedented move, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Monday, July 21, 2025, citing health concerns. The resignation, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, took effect immediately under Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution. However, opposition leaders, particularly from the Congress party, have raised serious questions about the timing and the true reasons behind his exit.

A Resignation Letter Laden with Emotion and Reflection

In his formal letter, Dhankhar wrote:

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution.”

He expressed deep gratitude toward President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Council of Ministers, and Members of Parliament. Dhankhar called his tenure a privilege, especially witnessing India’s economic growth and global ascent.

“It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India’s remarkable economic progress… I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future,” he stated.

The 74-year-old leader had recently undergone angioplasty at AIIMS, New Delhi, adding some credibility to his stated health-related reason for resignation.

Congress Questions the Real Reason

Despite the official explanation, the Congress party is far from convinced. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, strongly hinted that internal conflict may have led to Dhankhar’s decision.

Ramesh revealed that Dhankhar chaired the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Rajya Sabha at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. After adjourning the meeting, the committee reconvened at 4:30 p.m., but senior ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju were conspicuously absent without prior notice.

“Something very serious happened yesterday between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to account for the deliberate absence,” Ramesh wrote in a post on X.

He went on to say that while Dhankhar always supported post-2014 India’s development narrative, he was vocal about judicial accountability, farmer welfare, and public life ethics. He accused the current ruling dispensation of disregarding norms and propriety, suggesting that Dhankhar’s resignation was a result of mounting internal pressure.

“Shri Jagdeep Dhankar’s resignation speaks highly of him. It also speaks poorly of those who had got him elected as Vice President in the first instance,” Ramesh remarked.

Yesterday, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar chaired the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha at 12:30 PM. It was attended by most members, including Leader of the House JP Nadda and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju. After some discussion, the BAC decided to meet…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 22, 2025

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also weighed in, terming the resignation “sudden and shocking” and demanding clarity from the government regarding prior knowledge and plans for a smooth transition.

The resignation of the Hon’ble Vice President is both sudden and shocking. I wish good health to respected Dhankar ji. But it is for the Union government to clarify if they had prior intimation and have planned for a smooth transition. The absence of senior ministers yesterday at…

— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) July 22, 2025

Timing Raises Eyebrows

Adding to the intrigue is the timing—Dhankhar stepped down on the very first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. According to sources, he was scheduled to make key announcements related to the judiciary the very next day.

This, coupled with his history of confrontations with opposition parties and a previously attempted (but rejected) impeachment motion against him, adds to the speculation.

Who Could Succeed Dhankhar?

Dhankhar’s resignation has set the stage for political maneuvering, especially within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). While the BJP-led alliance commands a majority in the vice-presidential electoral college, Dhankhar’s sudden exit has reportedly caught them off guard.

Among those being considered as possible successors:

• Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and a JD(U) MP, is seen as a strong contender due to his administrative experience and acceptability within the government.
• Senior BJP leaders or current Union ministers with clean, non-controversial records are also under consideration.
• Governors with prior legislative or ministerial experience could be surprise picks.

Unlike his predecessors V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, who resigned to contest the presidential election, Dhankhar is only the third Vice President in independent India to step down mid-term. His original tenure was set to continue till 2027, after he assumed office in August 2022.

As per the Constitution, the election for the next Vice President must be held within six months. Until then, Deputy Chairman Harivansh can conduct proceedings in the Rajya Sabha.

A Nation Waits

While Dhankhar’s stated reason is medical, the political overtones cannot be ignored. His supporters praise his dignified exit and commitment to democratic values, while critics suggest deeper fractures within the system.

Whether or not Dhankhar reconsiders his resignation, as some Congress leaders have urged, remains to be seen. But for now, India’s second-highest constitutional office stands vacant—and speculation continues to swirl over what truly led to this resignation.