📰 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns: A Historic Move and Its Constitutional Aftermath
On July 21, 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar, the 14th Vice President of India, tendered his resignation mid-term, citing serious health concerns and the need to focus on his treatment and recovery. This decision has sent ripples across the political landscape, marking the first time in independent India that a Vice President has voluntarily stepped down purely for health reasons, without seeking any other post or office.
🔹 Background on Jagdeep Dhankhar:
- Jagdeep Dhankhar, a former Governor of West Bengal, took office as Vice President on August 11, 2022.
- He served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as per constitutional duty of the Vice President.
- He was a key figure in the NDA government, known for his assertive handling of parliamentary proceedings and frequent run-ins with the opposition.
🔹 Reason for Resignation:
- In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar cited: “My health has been deteriorating due to a chronic condition that now requires urgent and consistent medical care, which is not feasible while performing constitutional duties.”
- He thanked both the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their cooperation during his tenure.
🏛️ Constitutional Implications:
✔️ No Acting Vice President:
- The Constitution does not provide for an Acting Vice President.
- Instead, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, will temporarily preside over the Rajya Sabha until a new Vice President is elected.
✔️ Election Process Initiated:
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun preparations to conduct fresh elections for the post of Vice President.
- As per Article 68(2) of the Indian Constitution, a vacancy in the Vice President’s office must be filled as soon as possible.
🗓️ Timeline for New Election:
- The Vice Presidential election is expected to be completed within 30–35 days, based on past precedents.
- The electoral college for this election comprises:
- All elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Voting is done via a secret ballot using the single transferable vote system.
🧾 Term of the New Vice President:
- Unlike the President’s election, the newly elected Vice President will serve a full 5-year term, not just the remainder of Dhankhar’s term.
- This is because the Constitution does not limit the successor’s term when the Vice President resigns mid-way.
🔍 Political Impact and Speculation:
- The NDA is reportedly considering nominating a candidate from marginalized or backward communities, with names like:
- Ram Nath Thakur (former Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar)
- A South Indian or Northeastern leader to balance regional representation.
- The Opposition may also field a candidate to trigger a contest, although the NDA has a numerical advantage in Parliament.
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation from the office of Vice President is a rare constitutional event that has created a temporary vacuum in the nation’s second-highest constitutional post. It has activated the election machinery, raised political speculations, and brought attention to the lack of succession clarity in such constitutional roles. With the nation watching closely, the upcoming Vice Presidential election will be an important political event—both symbolically and strategically—for the government and the opposition alike.
