“Shocking and Inexplicable”: Congress Reacts to VP Dhankhar’s Sudden Exit

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised serious questions over the abrupt resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, calling the move both “shocking” and “inexplicable.” Dhankhar stepped down from his post on Monday evening, citing health concerns and the need to “prioritise health care” in a letter submitted to President Droupadi Murmu.

Ramesh took to X and wrote: “The sudden resignation of the Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable. I was with him alongside a number of other MPs till around 5pm today and had spoken to him over the phone at 7:30pm. Clearly, there is far more to this totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye. He took both the government and the opposition to task in equal measure. He was scheduled to chair a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee tomorrow and announce major decisions related to the judiciary. I urge him to reconsider and call upon the Prime Minister to intervene. This will be in the nation’s interest.”

Dhankhar’s resignation, which comes at the very start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, has sparked speculation across political lines. While the official reason given is health-related, he recently underwent angioplasty at AIIMS Delhi, many in political circles believe there could be more behind the decision.

His departure comes just a day after an Opposition-backed motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma was submitted in the Rajya Sabha, a move Dhankhar had acknowledged in the House, reportedly catching even the government by surprise.

As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar had a contentious relationship with Opposition leaders and was even the target of a rare impeachment motion, which was eventually rejected. Despite the clashes, he was known for keeping both sides of the aisle on their toes.

With this, Dhankhar becomes only the third Vice President in India’s history to resign before completing a full term. However, unlike his predecessors V V Giri and R Venkataraman, who resigned to run for President, Dhankhar’s exit does not appear to be linked to any such political ambition.

In his farewell note, Dhankhar expressed gratitude to President Murmu, PM Modi, ministers, and MPs, calling it a “true honour” to serve the country during what he described as a “transformative era” of growth.

Also Read: BREAKING: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Citing Health Reasons