Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Abrupt Resignation Triggers Speculation Amid Tensions Over Impeachment Motion

New Delhi, July 22 — The unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, officially attributed to health concerns, has sparked widespread speculation across political circles, with senior government and Opposition sources suggesting that deeper institutional tensions may have prompted the decision.

While the official communication cites medical reasons, insiders indicate that Dhankhar’s decision may have stemmed from growing friction with the government over an impeachment motion targeting Justice Yashwant Varma, a former Delhi High Court judge accused of corruption.

Sources close to the matter claim that the government had been preparing to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma in both Houses of Parliament. The motion was expected to feature prominently in the Rajya Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) discussions. However, according to accounts from within Parliament, Vice President Dhankhar surprised government members by acknowledging and accepting an Opposition-backed resolution on the same issue during the BAC meeting — an action not pre-approved or scheduled in the circulated agenda.

Government insiders say the move caught senior ministers off guard. Dhankhar reportedly announced his intent to take up the Opposition’s resolution at 1 PM the following day. In the hours that followed, senior ministers are said to have reached out to Dhankhar expressing strong disapproval. According to sources, Dhankhar engaged in a tense exchange, during which he reportedly conveyed that he sensed a loss of confidence from the government and felt compelled to step down immediately.

Two BAC meetings were convened on the day of the developments. While the initial meeting at 12:30 PM was attended by senior ministers Kiren Rijiju and JP Nadda, both were conspicuously absent during the 4:30 PM session, which was attended instead by Minister L. Murugan. Dhankhar’s resignation followed soon after, with a formal letter delivered to President Droupadi Murmu later that evening.

Though Dhankhar cited health reasons in his resignation letter, the timing and sequence of events have led many to question the stated rationale. He did not participate in the Rajya Sabha proceedings the following day, and sources suggest he may forgo a customary farewell address — a further departure from established protocol.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Dhankhar’s resignation on social media platform X, commending his long-standing commitment to public service and governance. “His contribution to the nation across various roles, including as Vice President, has been invaluable. I wish him good health and happiness always,” the Prime Minister wrote.

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders have raised pointed questions about the circumstances surrounding the resignation. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, suggested that “something very serious” occurred between 1 PM and 4:30 PM on the day in question, noting the absence of key ministers and highlighting a breach in protocol. “Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar was not personally informed that the two senior ministers were not attending. Rightly, he took umbrage,” Ramesh claimed.

Ramesh further asserted that Dhankhar’s legacy included voicing concerns for farmers’ welfare, advocating judicial accountability, and upholding parliamentary decorum — all while navigating an increasingly centralised political atmosphere. “He tried, within the limits of the current G2 regime, to accommodate the Opposition. He was a stickler for norms, propriety, and protocol,” he noted.

As speculation continues, the resignation of Vice President Dhankhar has exposed fault lines within the highest constitutional offices, raising broader questions about institutional independence and the handling of sensitive legislative proceedings.