Congress party on Tuesday questioned the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, saying that only the Central government and Dhankhar himself know the real reasons behind the unexpected action. The party has asked the government to explain in public what the real reasons behind the resignation are.
Dhankhar, who assumed office as India's 14th Vice President in August 2022, officially relinquished his position on July 21—the day the Parliament's Monsoon Session opened.
His abrupt departure has created widespread shock and given the Opposition new political ammunition, with most viewing the resignation as being laced with greater political undertones.
Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge spoke on the issue with mediapersons, saying, "We have nothing to do with the reasons for it. The government is aware. We do not want to comment on it because it is their choice; whether to accept it or not it is purely the government's decision. We have nothing to do with it."
The timing of Dhankhar's resignation—coinciding with the beginning of the parliament session—has only fueled speculation throughout the political landscape.
Congress MP and Lok Sabha Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi also expressed dismay at the Central government's silence. Telling IANS, he said, "I wish the Vice President good health. But the manner in which all this took place is clear that there was no idea in the Centre about this. What all transpired between the Centre and the Vice President? Yesterday, the Union Ministers did not come to the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, and today too, there is no word from the Prime Minister."
He further added, "What is new between the Centre and Vice President that no coordination is observed between the two. What will happen further? Nobody knows. That is why we demand an explanation from the government."
Jagdeep Dhankhar had been put forward by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on July 16, 2022, as the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) Vice Presidential candidate. He won in the August 6 election of that year over the Opposition's choice, Margaret Alva, by getting 528 out of 710 valid votes—receiving 74.37 percent support, the widest margin since 1992.
In his role as Vice President, Dhankhar also assumed the position of ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, where he oversaw several significant legislative debates. He earned a reputation for being a firm enforcer of parliamentary discipline and a strict adherent to procedural norms—qualities that earned him both admiration and criticism from across the political divide.
A seasoned politician from India and popularly known for his constitutional expertise, Dhankhar was commonly characterized as a firm but even-handed individual in his tenure at the Rajya Sabha.
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