Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns, Citing Health Concerns
In a surprising development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his resignation from India’s second-highest constitutional office on Monday, July 21, 2025, citing health concerns. The move has sparked widespread speculation and debate across political circles, marking only the third instance in India’s history where a Vice President has resigned before completing their term. This report outlines the reasons for his resignation, the timeline of events, the constitutional implications, and the broader political context surrounding this unprecedented event.
Reason for Resignation
Jagdeep Dhankhar, aged 74, cited health issues as the primary reason for his resignation. In his letter to President Droupadi Murmu, he stated:
Reports indicate that Dhankhar had faced health challenges in recent months, including hospital visits for chest pain in March 2025 and a fainting incident at Nainital University in June 2025. He underwent angioplasty at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi earlier this year, which raised concerns about his health. Despite these incidents, Dhankhar remained active in his duties until the day of his resignation, presiding over the Rajya Sabha and attending key meetings. However, the abrupt announcement, made on the first day of the Parliament’s monsoon session, has led to skepticism among opposition leaders. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remarked, “No doubt Mr. Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health, but clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye.”
[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-says-far-deeper-reasons-behind-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-resignation/article69841061.ece)The opposition’s suspicions were fueled by the absence of key ministers, including Leader of the House JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, from a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting chaired by Dhankhar on July 21, 2025. Congress leaders alleged that Dhankhar was not personally informed of their absence, which may have caused friction, though both ministers claimed they had informed his office and were occupied with other parliamentary work.
[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-rajya-sabha-business-advisory-jp-nadda-kiren-rijiju-parliament-2759363-2025-07-22)Timeline of Events
- August 11, 2022: Jagdeep Dhankhar assumes office as the 14th Vice President of India, defeating opposition candidate Margaret Alva with 528 votes (72.8%) in the vice-presidential election. [](https://udaipurkiran.com/breaking-news-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-citing-health-reasons/)
- March 9, 2025: Dhankhar is admitted to the cardiac department at AIIMS Delhi for chest pain, where he undergoes angioplasty. He is discharged on March 12 and resumes duties shortly after. [](https://x.com/ANI/status/1898589538546786523)
- June 2025: Dhankhar faints after stepping down from the dais at a program at Nainital University, further highlighting his health issues. [](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-citing-health-reasons-2759221-2025-07-21)
- July 10, 2025: Dhankhar delivers addresses at the CII-ITC Sustainability Awards and the First Annual Academic Conference on Indian Knowledge Systems at Jawaharlal Nehru University, stating, “I will retire in August 2027, subject to divine intervention,” indicating no immediate plans to resign. [](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-as-vice-president-cites-health-issues/)
- July 21, 2025, 12:30 PM: Dhankhar chairs the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Rajya Sabha, attended by most members, including JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju. [](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-says-far-deeper-reasons-behind-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-resignation/article69841061.ece)
- July 21, 2025, Afternoon: Dhankhar accepts an opposition-backed motion for the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, following a cash recovery at the judge’s residence. This move reportedly displeased the government, which intended to lead the offensive against judicial corruption. [](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-inside-story-what-led-to-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-shock-exit-8922151)
- July 21, 2025, 4:30 PM: A second BAC meeting is held, but Nadda and Rijiju are absent, reportedly without personally informing Dhankhar, leading to its rescheduling for July 22. [](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-rajya-sabha-business-advisory-jp-nadda-kiren-rijiju-parliament-2759363-2025-07-22)
- July 21, 2025, Evening: Dhankhar submits his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu after an unscheduled meeting with her at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The resignation is announced via the Vice President’s official X account at 9:25 PM. [](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-inside-story-what-led-to-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-shock-exit-8922151)[](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-as-vice-president-citing-health-reasons-10140666/)
- July 22, 2025: President Murmu accepts the resignation. Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh assumes the role of presiding over Rajya Sabha proceedings. Political speculation intensifies, with theories suggesting internal strife or strategic political moves. [](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-inside-story-what-led-to-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-shock-exit-8922151)
Constitutional and Political Implications
Under Article 68(2) of the Indian Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the Vice President’s office due to resignation must be held “as soon as possible.” The new Vice President will serve a full five-year term from the date they assume office. The Constitution does not specify an acting Vice President, but the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, currently Harivansh Narayan Singh, presides over the Upper House during the vacancy.
[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-citing-health-reasons-2759221-2025-07-21)Dhankhar’s resignation is the third mid-term exit by a Vice President, following V.V. Giri (1969) and R. Venkataraman (1987), both of whom resigned to contest presidential elections. The sudden vacancy has prompted the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to begin discussions on potential candidates, with names like Harivansh Narayan Singh, senior BJP leaders, and governors being considered. The opposition, particularly the Congress, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convince Dhankhar to reconsider, citing the potential instability caused by his exit.
[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-july-21-2025/article69839807.ece)[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/surprise-exit-as-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-nda-in-huddle-over-vp-post-whos-in-the-running/articleshow/122825265.cms)[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-says-far-deeper-reasons-behind-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-resignation/article69841061.ece)The resignation has also sparked a political row, with opposition leaders pointing to the absence of Nadda and Rijiju at the BAC meeting as a possible trigger. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh noted that Dhankhar took “umbrage” at the ministers’ absence, suggesting it may have contributed to his decision. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have defended the ministers, stating they were engaged in other parliamentary work and had informed Dhankhar’s office.
[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-rajya-sabha-business-advisory-jp-nadda-kiren-rijiju-parliament-2759363-2025-07-22)[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-rajya-sabha-business-advisory-jp-nadda-kiren-rijiju-parliament-2759363-2025-07-22)Political Context and Speculation
Dhankhar’s tenure, which began in August 2022, was marked by frequent clashes with opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha, particularly over issues like judicial overreach and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act. His vocal criticism of the judiciary, including comments on the Supreme Court’s timeline for bill assent and the Justice Yashwant Varma impeachment case, aligned him closely with the government’s stance, drawing criticism from opposition leaders. In December 2024, the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against Dhankhar, accusing him of bias, which was dismissed by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.
[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-july-21-2025/article69839807.ece)The timing of his resignation, coinciding with the Parliament’s monsoon session and a scheduled trip to Jaipur on July 23, has fueled speculation. One theory suggests that Dhankhar’s exit may be linked to internal strife within the BJP, particularly after his acceptance of the opposition’s motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, which reportedly displeased the government. Sources indicate that rumblings of a government-backed no-confidence motion against Dhankhar may have prompted his resignation to avoid further conflict. Another theory posits that the resignation may pave the way for a strategic appointment, such as Nitish Kumar, to bolster the NDA’s position in Bihar’s upcoming elections, though these claims remain unverified.
[](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-inside-story-what-led-to-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-shock-exit-8922151)[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jagdeep-dhankhar-resignation-vice-president-reasons-theories-bihar-elections-snub-2759444-2025-07-22)The absence of key ministers from the BAC meeting and Dhankhar’s acceptance of the opposition’s impeachment motion against Justice Varma have been cited as potential catalysts for his resignation, though health concerns remain the official reason. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi called for clarity from the government on whether it had prior intimation of the resignation and whether a plan for a smooth transition is in place.
[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-says-far-deeper-reasons-behind-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-resignation/article69841061.ece)Reactions and Tributes
Political leaders across the spectrum have reacted to Dhankhar’s resignation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him good health, stating, “Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.” Congress leader Kapil Sibal praised Dhankhar as a patriot, noting, “He used to speak his mind and not keep things in his heart. Though our ideologies did not match, he never used to keep things in his heart.” Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan highlighted Dhankhar’s fearless expression of views, stating, “Your fearless expression of views, free from political pressure, has set a high benchmark for public life.”
[](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-inside-story-what-led-to-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhars-shock-exit-8922151)[](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-health-reasons-political-speculation-2759294-2025-07-22)[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resignation-live-updates-july-22-2025/article69841583.ece)In Dhankhar’s native village in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, residents expressed shock but wished him well. Village Sarpanch Subhita Dhankar said, “We wish he gets well soon and he may rise to even higher positions.” However, opposition leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Anand Dubey questioned the timing, stating, “This decision came without proper consultation or discussion. If health was the concern, the resignation could have been submitted a few days before the session or even after.”
[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resignation-live-updates-july-22-2025/article69841583.ece)[](https://www.the-independent.com/asia/india/jagdeep-dhankar-resigns-age-health-indian-vp-b2793406.html)Next Steps
The Election Commission of India, under Article 324, will oversee the election for the new Vice President. Candidates must be Indian citizens, at least 35 years old, and eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha, with nominations requiring 20 MPs as proposers and 20 as seconders. The electoral college comprises members of both Houses of Parliament, with the NDA holding a majority. Until a new Vice President is elected, Harivansh Narayan Singh will manage Rajya Sabha proceedings.
[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-citing-health-reasons-2759221-2025-07-21)Dhankhar’s resignation marks a significant moment in India’s political landscape, with the nation awaiting the NDA’s choice of successor and the outcome of the forthcoming election. The abrupt nature of his exit, coupled with the political speculation and the ongoing monsoon session, ensures that this development will remain a focal point of national discourse in the coming weeks.
