logo
Dhankhar made 'unscheduled visit' to Rashtrapati Bhavan before announcing resignation

Dhankhar made 'unscheduled visit' to Rashtrapati Bhavan before announcing resignation

Before his surprise resignation, former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar made an "unscheduled visit" to the Rashtrapati Bhavan late on Monday evening, official sources said.
Dhankhar met President Murmu around 9 pm on Monday and handed over his resignation to her. Half an hour later, he made his resignation letter public on X, they said.
"To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," Dhankhar said in his letter.
Dhankhar, 74, assumed office in August 2022 and his term would have ended in August 2027. The resignation of Dhankhar, who was also the ex officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, came on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, saying, "Jagdeep Dhankhar has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health."
Meanwhile, the Congress sought an explanation from the government after Dhankhar resigned unexpectedly, citing health reasons. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said there were 'far deeper reasons' behind the move, while the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, asked the Centre to clarify if it had prior knowledge of the resignation.
Several other Opposition leaders also expressed surprise and scepticism over the abrupt move, with some suggesting there may be more to the decision than meets the eye.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

CM warns against ‘Swiggy politics', calls for return to ideological values
CM warns against ‘Swiggy politics', calls for return to ideological values

Time of India

time27 minutes ago

  • Time of India

CM warns against ‘Swiggy politics', calls for return to ideological values

Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday expressed deep concern over what he termed as the rise of 'Swiggy politics' — a system driven by instant delivery of political gains at the cost of ideology, democratic principles, and grassroots party workers. Speaking at the S Jaipal Reddy Democratic Award presentation ceremony, the CM said, "Swiggy politics is replacing ideology-based politics. Political parties are increasingly focused on who can deliver quick results, sidelining core values. This is a dangerous trend for Indian democracy." He lamented the growing role of political managers and event management agencies in the electoral process, saying they are replacing committed party activists. "Politics devoid of ideology and dedicated workers is a serious threat to the nation's democratic fabric," he said. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Calling for reforms to curb the influence of money in politics, Revanth noted, "The political system is now controlled by money. We must reverse this trend before it permanently damages our democracy." He also stressed the need to revive student politics based on ideology and democratic values to nurture future leaders. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 13 Most Luxurious Hotels In The World Undo Highlighting the Congress govt's commitment to democratic openness, the CM said the opposition is free to express its views in the Assembly. "Since I assumed office, no opposition MLA has been suspended. The dharna chowk at Indira Park has been reopened for all citizens to protest and raise their voices," he said. Paying tribute to the late Union minister Jaipal Reddy, Revanth described him as one of the most principled parliamentarians. "Though he wasn't initially in favour of Telangana, he played a crucial role in making statehood a reality. His intervention in the Union cabinet and support from leaders like Sushma Swaraj ensured the passage of the AP Reorganisation Bill." Revanth added that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi once told him she was moved to support Telangana statehood due to Jaipal Reddy's compelling advocacy.

Monsoon session: BJP to raise BBMP split, tunnel road plans in Bengaluru
Monsoon session: BJP to raise BBMP split, tunnel road plans in Bengaluru

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Monsoon session: BJP to raise BBMP split, tunnel road plans in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: BJP has stepped up its opposition to the proposed tunnel road project and the plan to divide BBMP into five municipal corporations. Party MLAs from Bengaluru met in the city Saturday to chalk out a strategy and announced plans to raise both issues in the upcoming legislature session. The meeting was chaired by the opposition leader in the legislative assembly, R Ashoka, and BJP state president BY Vijayendra. Speaking to reporters, Ashoka accused the Congress govt of pursuing the BBMP split for electoral gains. "The division of BBMP is being carried out solely to ensure the Congress party's electoral victory and not for the city's development. We are opposing the plan to divide Bengaluru into five corporations. This is harmful to the interests of the city. In the future, one corporation may end up fighting with another," he said. He added BJP had already approached the judiciary. "Petitions have been filed in both the high court and Supreme Court." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "Congress knows that if BBMP continues to remain in its present form, it cannot win elections. So, they are pushing for its division. They have imposed taxes on everything and are hoping to win at least two corporations and showcase it to (Congress MP) Rahul Gandhi," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Ashoka also alleged irregularities in the tunnel road project. "We don't object to the concept of a tunnel road. But they have allowed a dubious company to prepare the DPR. The company was caught copying details from another project and fined Rs 15 lakh. After this, the company should have been blacklisted, not given further responsibility worth Rs 7-8 crore." He warned, "Metro is already being constructed underground in Bengaluru. If a tunnel road is built beneath it, it could compromise safety." Echoing Ashoka's views, Vijayendra said, "Projects like the underground tunnel road and the division of BBMP into five are not in the best interest of the city. Similar experiments in cities like Mumbai have failed. BJP will continue to oppose it." He also highlighted concerns over housing approvals. "Thousands of houses are ready for housewarming, but NOCs have not been issued. We held a detailed discussion on it today," he added.

Meet creator of sculptures that reflect India's heritage
Meet creator of sculptures that reflect India's heritage

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Meet creator of sculptures that reflect India's heritage

You cannot miss it if you are driving into the city or exiting it through Dahisar toll naka. The majestic 30-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj astride a horse, adjacent to the highway at Kashimira in Mira-Bhayandar, is a sculpture aficionado's delight. Looking east, the equestrian statue of the Maratha warrior king is not just impressive, it carries a significant meaning because of the location it is installed at. As Unesco declared 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji World Heritage sites recently, the spotlight also falls on city-based sculptor Sunil Kashinath Deore, who created this beautiful statue in bronze. It has been drawing admiration from thousands of passersby every day since the then chief minister Eknath Shinde unveiled it in Sept 2024. "Shivaji Maharaj raided Surat twice (in 1664 and 1670) and damaged the reputation of the Mughals. A substantial number of people who enter Mumbai from Gujarat by road take this route and meet Shivaji Maharaj at one of the city's gates," says Deore, 52, who collaborated with Garnet, which was commissioned to create the statue. In July 2022, Deore courted controversy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the national emblem cast atop the new Parliament building. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hidden Cause Found: Dementia And Memory Loss Linked To This Habit Memory and Health Click Here Undo Many opposition leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, criticised the expressions of the lions cast on the emblem. The opposition leaders claimed that the original lions at the 'Lion Capital of Asoka' at Sarnath in UP look "sober and peace-loving" while those in the cast atop the new Parliament building look "aggressive and ferocious". You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai But did Deore, who collaborated with Jaipur-based metal casting expert Laxman Vyas, deviate from the original design? "No. The lions looked aggressive because photos were taken from a wide angle. It took us almost a year to prepare the replica," says Deore, a gold medallist from the prestigious J J School of Art in sculpture studies. Having inscribed his name in history by virtue of creating the replica of the national emblem that sits atop the new Parliament building, Deore has bagged another important assignment: To create murals for different offices at the new central secretariat coming up near the iconic India Gate in New Delhi. "These murals to be installed at offices of the ministries will showcase India's rich cultural heritage," says the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-born sculptor, who has studios both in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Mumbai. Deore's realistic, experimental works have earned appreciation from his peers and contemporaries. Vivek Lad, who was Deore's senior at J J School of Art and taught there before retiring a couple of years ago, calls Deore's works "monumental". "I have seen him work for years and he experiments with various mediums," says Lad. The Buddha statue that he created a few years ago, says Deore, is awaiting CM Devendra Fadnavis's attention. "Fadnavis should gift it to Delhi on behalf of Maharashtra," suggests Rajendra Jadhav of Borderless Babasaheb, which works to popularise Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's ideas.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store