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BBC News
11 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Jagdeep Dhankar: Indian vice president's resignation sparks political speculation
The sudden resignation of India's Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday night has sparked speculation about what prompted the also the chairman of the upper house of the parliament, announced his resignation on the first day of the monsoon session, citing health ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had nominated him for the post, has yet to comment on his many opposition leaders have expressed surprise at the move, with one MP saying there was more to it "than meets the eye". Dhankhar, 74, took office in August 2022, with his term set to run until Monday, Dhankhar presided over a Rajya Sabha - the upper house - session and swore in new members. He also received an impeachment notice against high court judge Yashwant Varma, signed by over 50 MPs, following the discovery of cash at the judge's home earlier this year. Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing by him or his official schedule had listed a visit to the western city of Jaipur on Wednesday in his capacity as vice on Monday evening, he submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, saying he wanted "to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice"."It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India's remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation's history has been a true honour," Dhankar said in the abrupt move sent ripples through political circles, with some remarking that they had spoken to Dhankhar just hours before his resignation."What is going on in this government?" asked Anand Dubey, spokesperson of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party."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," he Tewari, an MP of India's main opposition Congress party, called the move "totally unexpected"."No doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health," he said."But, clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye."Jairam Ramesh, another Congress MP, called Dhankar's resignation "unprecedented".He also pointed to the absence of two ministers from an advisory committee meeting presided over by Dhankar that was supposed to happen on Monday afternoon. Ramesh said Dhankar was not personally informed of their absence and took "umbrage" before rescheduling the meeting for Tuesday."Jagdeep Dhankar's resignation speaks highly of him. It also speaks poorly of who got him elected as vice president in the first instance," he added. Dhankar, a lawyer by profession, first entered politics as an MP from Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu seat in 2003, he joined the BJP and went on to head the party's legal department. In 2019, he was appointed the governor of West Bengal state where he was often at loggerheads with the state government, run by the Trinamool Congress resigned as governor in 2022 after the BJP nominated him as vice underwent angioplasty in Delhi in March but quickly resumed his duties and remained active in the vice president's seat now vacant, his responsibilities are likely to be handled by the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or another member designated by the BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns: How is the Vice President of India elected?
On Monday evening, in a surprise move, the Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as the Vice President of India on medical grounds, despite having two years of tenure left. In a letter to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, the former VP, who was elected in 2022, said: "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. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. In the notice, the leader expressed his gratitude to India's President, Droupadi Murmu, for her "unwavering support and soothing relationship" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "cooperation and support". How is the Vice President of India elected? The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college which consists members of both houses of Parliament. This happens according to the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting in such election is by secret ballot. The Electoral College to elect a person to the office of the Vice-President consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament. The Vice-President is not a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a Legislature of any state. If a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a Legislature of any state is elected as Vice-President, he is deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date he/she enters his office as Vice-President. Eligibility A person cannot be elected as Vice-President unless they: are a citizen of India; have completed the age of 35 years, and are qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). A person is not also eligible if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or a State Government or any subordinate local authority. Filling a vacancy An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiry of the term of office of Vice-President is completed before the expiry of the term. In case a vacancy arises by reasons of death, resignation or removal or otherwise, the election to fill that vacancy is held as soon as possible after the occurrence. The Constitution provides an outer limit of six months (Article 62) for election to the office of the President of India under these circumstances. The person so elected is entitled to hold office for a full term of 5 years from the date he enters office.
UAE Moments
13 hours ago
- Health
- UAE Moments
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Due to Health Reason
Late last night, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as the Vice President of India due to health reasons. You can read his full statement here. The resignation now goes to the President. Dhankhar is 74, and resigned after a tumultuous first day of the monsoon session of the Parliament. However, there is no reason to believe that the ruckus in the Parliament and Dhankhar's resignation were related. He had presided over the Rajya Sabha yesterday. Dhankhar is far from the first VP who has resigned while in office, but the first to do so on health grounds. Almost all the other people in the list resigned to contest elections for the Presidential post. While we await the eventual acceptance of Dhankhar's resignation, here are the next possible steps: Once the resignation is accepted, the Election Commission will form a fresh election for the vacant position. Who can apply? To ensure bipartisanship, a potential VP candidate should not represent any constituency at either the national or the state legislature level. Who can vote? MPs of both houses of the Parliament will vote for their next VP. What happens meanwhile? RS Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will preside over the Rajya Sabha, at least for the remaining portion of the monsoon session.
Reuters
a day ago
- Health
- Reuters
India's Vice President Dhankhar resigns due to health reasons
July 21 (Reuters) - Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday for health reasons. Dhankhar, 74, had served as the vice president of India since August 2022. The vice president holds office for five years. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately," Dhankhar said in a letter to country's President Droupadi Murmu, posted on X. In India, the vice president holds second highest constitutional office, as well as being chair of the upper house of parliament. The vice president also acts as the country's president if there is a temporary vacancy.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
India's vice president resigns due to health reasons
Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post for health reasons. Dhankhar, 74, had served as the vice president of India since August 2022. The vice president holds office for five years. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately," Dhankhar said in a letter to country's President Droupadi Murmu, posted on X. — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) July 21, 2025 In India, the vice president holds second highest constitutional office, as well as being chair of the upper house of parliament. The vice president also acts as the country's president if there is a temporary vacancy.
