Vice President Dhankhar Resigns Mid-Term Due to Health Concerns

New Delhi, July 22: In a surprising political development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Monday evening, citing health issues as the primary reason. He personally met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan before handing over his resignation letter. As per constitutional provisions under Article 67(a), his resignation takes effect immediately.

The announcement has triggered discussions across political corridors, with many taken aback by the sudden nature of the decision. Dhankhar stated that his deteriorating health, along with strong medical advice, left him unable to fulfill the demanding responsibilities of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. His term was originally set to end in August 2027.

Elected as India’s 14th Vice President in August 2022, Dhankhar’s political journey has included roles as the Governor of West Bengal and a longstanding legal career before transitioning into active politics. This year, however, health complications have increasingly surfaced. He underwent cardiac care at AIIMS in March and fainted during a public event at Kumaon University in June, raising quiet concerns about his ability to manage the rigours of the post.

In his resignation letter, Dhankhar expressed gratitude to the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Council of Ministers, and Parliamentarians, thanking them for the warmth, trust, and affection he had received during his tenure. He specifically praised his working relationship with President Murmu, calling it “wonderful” and “inspiring.”

With his departure, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will temporarily preside over Rajya Sabha proceedings until the election of a new Vice President. The Election Commission is now expected to announce the poll schedule, which will involve the electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament.

Reactions from across the political spectrum were swift. Prime Minister Modi lauded Dhankhar’s contributions and conveyed his good wishes for a complete recovery. Meanwhile, opposition figures called the move “unexpected,” with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hinting at deeper underlying causes, especially since Dhankhar had participated actively in committee meetings earlier the same day.

This development makes Dhankhar only the third Vice President in India’s history to resign mid-term, following V. V. Giri in 1969 and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 2007. An earlier video from July 10—where he mentioned his intent to serve until 2027 “subject to divine intervention”—has resurfaced, sparking speculation on whether his exit had been in consideration for longer than previously believed.