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New Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Vice President pick likely from Backward class, someone 'neutral and seasoned'
NEW DELHI: A majority of NDA leaders, preferring to remain anonymous, citing political reasons, appeared more confident about electing an experienced, neutral and seasoned individual as the next Vice-President. They expressed that it would be someone representing a significant portion of the pichhara (backward) classes. Speaking to TNIE, in the premises of Parliament, several NDA MPs from both the Upper and Lower Houses, requesting anonymity, hinted at a strong possibility of candidate being from backward or extremely backward community. 'Jo bhi hoga aisa lagata hai picchare varg se hoga' (Whosoever it will be, as it appears now, he will be from the backwards classes). What exactly prompted Dhankhar to resign, however, remains one of the biggest political mysteries. Yet, speculation continues to swirl across the corridors of Parliament that either Bihar or West Bengal may be represented in the second-highest constitutional office -- potentially ushering in another political surprise. 'Ram Nath Thakur—Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare—is one of the prominent names doing the rounds as the most likely candidate,' a senior BJP source said. He further said, "Thakur is the son of the Bharat Ratna awardee and former (late) Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur and belongs to the Nai (barber) community, an ati-pichhara caste'. Nadda, BJP's current president's name is also doing the rounds. When questioned on how this could be feasible, noting that he occupies concurrent charge of the Health Ministry, a senior BJP source clarified that a cabinet reshuffle is likely after the Monsoon Session. He may resign from the post before being declared the Vice-Presidential candidate, and his ministry could be temporarily handed over to another cabinet minister as an additional charge. Dhankhar's resignation remains enigmatic, with reasons known only to him till date. But, there are, however, a few circulating theories -- including speculation of friction between him and the government on certain issues. This development has also brought Bihar CM Nitish Kumar back into political discussions. 'His (Nitish Kumar's) name has not come up only this time; it has been speculated for the last few years. But this does not seem to be happening,' said a senior JDU member, refusing to accept that this speculation carries a much possibility. Among the other names surfacing in the power corridors are senior BJP leader and former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, present Bihar Governor Md. Arif Khan, former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, and Harivansh, currently Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who is managing the House in the wake of Dhankhar's resignation. 'Despite all these names, you know our government springs a surprise,' one senior BJP source cryptically remarked, hinting that a person from West Bengal may still be in consideration.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Veep successor watch: Political buzz grows after Dhankhar's resignation
NEW DELHI: Following the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, speculation over his successor gathered momentum across political corridors in the national capital on Tuesday. Various theories have emerged regarding the reasons behind Dhankhar's resignation, with many citing alleged differences between him and the government over the proposed motion to remove two justices. Dhankhar resigned from his post late on Monday, citing health reasons. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," his resignation letter read. On Tuesday, the Rajya Sabha was informed that the vice president's resignation had been accepted by President Droupadi Murmu, with the Ministry of Home Affairs issuing a notification stating that the resignation takes effect immediately. While the exact reasons for Dhankhar's decision remain unclear, several names are already doing the rounds as potential candidates for the Vice Presidential election. Among the frontrunners are Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State in the NDA Cabinet at the Centre and son of Bharat Ratna awardee and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur; Bihar Governor Mohammad Arif Khan; and former BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. With Bihar heading to elections later this year, the name of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar—whose party JD(U) is part of the NDA governments at both the state and the Centre—has also resurfaced, as he has long been speculated as a possible contender.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Jagdeep Dhankhar's 10 Sharpest Quotes That Stirred The Opposition
Last Updated: Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President of India due to health reasons. His tenure saw controversies and clashes with the Opposition. Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday resigned from his post as Vice President of India, citing health reasons and medical advice. This comes after he chaired the Rajya Sabha's first Monsoon session. In his resignation letter, Dhankhar expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Union Cabinet of Ministers. Jagdeep Dhankhar, born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana village, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, has traversed a remarkable path, rising from the Rajasthan Bar Council to become the Vice President of India. Dhankhar was sworn in as India's Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson in August 2022. His tenure began on a controversial note during the Winter Session of Parliament later that year, setting the stage for ongoing controversy surrounding his role as the Upper House's leader. The relations between Dhankhar and the Opposition hit a low during the Parliament's Winter Session in 2023, when at least 146 MPs were suspended from both Houses during a protest demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Parliament security breach. Dhankhar, in his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on the first day of the winter session of Parliament on December 7, 2022, said, 'There is no parallel to such a development in democratic history where a duly legitimised constitutional prescription has been judicially undone. A glaring instance of severe compromise of parliamentary sovereignty and disregard of the mandate of the people, of which this house and the Lok Sabha are custodians." In December 2022, Dhankhar said that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's statement that the government was trying to 'delegitimise the judiciary" was 'severely inappropriate and showed 'lack of faith in democracy." 'The observations are severely inappropriate, indicating a lack of faith in democracy, making this exceptional response unavoidable," he said. In December 2023, Dhankhar defended the suspension of several Upper House members, citing their 'extreme misconduct" and stating that the action was 'unavoidable." He emphasised that he had taken strong action to protect the 'temple of democracy" from 'sacrilege." In a letter to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Dhankhar voiced his anguish over the 'widespread perception of 'politicisation'" of the issue of security breach in Parliament on December 13 instead of the display of 'collective concern" on the incident. In February 2024, Dhankhar criticised Congress MP Jairam Ramesh for his remarks against RLD chief Jayant Singh, stating that Ramesh's behaviour was unbecoming of a member of the Upper House. The controversy arose after Dhankhar allowed Jayant Singh to speak about his grandfather, former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, being honoured with the Bharat Ratna, prompting protests from Congress members and a heated debate in the House. In March 2024, Dhankhar seemingly targeted the opposition, stating that individuals who once believed themselves to be above the law are now being held accountable, noting that some people take to the streets when legal action is initiated against them. His remarks came before a rally by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protesting the alleged misuse of central agencies by the ruling BJP and the arrest of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED in a money laundering case related to the excise policy controversy. In July 2024, Dhankhar strongly criticised Congress leader P Chidambaram's comments on the new criminal laws, calling them 'highly insulting" to Members of Parliament. During an event at the Indian Institute of Space and Technology, Dhankhar condemned Chidambaram's remarks as 'derogatory, defamatory, and highly insulting" towards lawmakers. In July, Dhankhar criticised opposition MPs for walking out of the House while PM Narendra Modi was speaking, calling it a 'dangerous precedent." He expressed disappointment, stating that the opposition members had compromised their dignity and insulted the Constitution, rather than showing respect to him. The MPs walked out after Dhankhar initially refused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, to intervene as Modi spoke. In June, Mallikarjun Kharge entered the Well of Rajya Sabha during a protest over paper leaks, prompting strong criticism from Jagdeep Dhankhar. Dhankhar condemned the action as unprecedented for someone in Kharge's position and described it as a 'stain" on Parliament. In July 2024, Dhankhar revealed that he had been an admirer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the past 25 years, likening himself to 'Ekalavya," a devoted disciple. He praised the RSS, the ideological parent organisation of the BJP, and expressed regret for not joining it sooner. In September 2024, Dhankhar seemingly criticised Lok Sabha's LoP, Rahul Gandhi, stating that nothing is more reprehensible than someone in a constitutional position aligning with those who are 'enemies of the nation". This comes after Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to the United States in September, spoke of the condition of politics in India and said 'love, respect and humility" were missing. tags : Jagdeep Dhankhar view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 22:38 IST News india Jagdeep Dhankhar's 10 Sharpest Quotes That Stirred The Opposition Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
12 bills tabled in assembly
Patna: The govt on Monday tabled as many as 12 bills in the state assembly, including two separate ones related to the establishment of the skill university in the memory of former CM and Bharat Ratna awardee Karpoori Thakur and formation of new trust for the management and running of the new upcoming Maa Janaki Mandir at Punauradham in Sitamarhi district. The bills concerned would be taken up for passage on different dates during the monsoon session that began on Monday. They were tabled separately by health minister Mangal Pandey, in charge of the law ministry, and assembly secretary in charge Khyati Singh, after the governor had given his consent to them. While the Maa Janaki Mandir at Punauradham, spread over 15 acre land, is being already managed by the existing religious trust, the formation of the new trust has become necessary, because the existing temple is being reconstructed on now 65 acres of land on an expanded scale with new design and infrastructural facilities.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
MP Satnam Sandhu seeks Bharat Ratna for Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Monday urged the Union government to posthumously confer the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, on three iconic martyrs of the freedom struggle from Punjab — Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh and Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra. Raising the demand on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Sandhu said, 'It is ironic and deeply painful that even after 77 years of independence, these legendary martyrs have not been awarded the Bharat Ratna. Their ideology and sacrifice continue to inspire generations of Indians, especially the youth.' Calling the move a 'true tribute to their martyrdom', Sandhu said the demand reflected not only 'the public sentiments of Punjab and its people but the entire nation's conscience'. He described the trio as 'symbols of India's unrelenting spirit, resilience and resistance against colonial oppression'. Appealing to the Centre to 'awaken the national consciousness', the MP added, 'Under the Modi government, real national heroes are being honoured, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or socio-economic status. I urge the Union government to keep this spirit alive by conferring Bharat Ratna on Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh and Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra.' Sandhu also recalled their sacrifices: 'Bhagat Singh, who embraced martyrdom at 23, remains a lasting symbol of fearless defiance; Udham Singh avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating General O'Dwyer in London; and Madan Lal Dhingra, one of the earliest revolutionaries, shocked the British Empire by killing Curzon Wyllie in 1909.'
