Did he resign in a huff over some provocation, perhaps this assertion by Nadda? Was he pressured into resignation? Was the stated health issue real reason, or was it something else? There will be more speculations and conspiracy theories in the coming few days. But let us have a look at Jagdeep Dhankar’s journey from a village in Rajasthan to the post of India’s Vice President.
On July 21, 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar, India’s 14th Vice President, announced his resignation, citing health concerns. The surprise event at the start of Parliament’s 2025 Monsoon Session has led to much debate regarding his career, political life, and the consequences of his departure.
Academic Qualifications and Profession
Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana, a village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, into a modest Hindu Rajasthani Jat family. His early education took place at Sainik School, Chittorgarh. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Rajasthan. Following this, he completed his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the same university. Jagdeep Dhankhar began his legal practice in 1979.
Political Journey
Dhankhar entered politics in 1989, winning a Lok Sabha seat from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, on a Janata Dal ticket. He became the Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in 1990 under Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar’s government. From 1993 to 1998, he served as a Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from the Kishangarh constituency, initially with the Janata Dal. During this period, he was influenced by Devi Lal and briefly aligned with the Indian National Congress (INC) during P.V. Narasimha Rao’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Dhankhar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2008. He advocated for OBC status for the Jat community in Rajasthan. In 2016, he headed the BJP’s law and legal affairs department, leveraging his legal expertise. In July 2019, Dhankhar became the Governor of West Bengal. His tenure was contentious, marked by frequent confrontations with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The TMC branded him the “real leader of the opposition”.
In July 2022, the BJP nominated Dhankhar as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for Vice President. Promoted as a “Kisan Putra” (son of a farmer), his nomination was seen as an outreach to the Jat community, which had been active in farmers’ protests against the BJP government’s agricultural reforms in 2020. Dhankhar won the 2022 Vice-Presidential election with a significant margin, securing 528 of 710 valid votes (74.4%) against the opposition’s candidate, Margaret Alva. He assumed office on August 11, 2022, also serving as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Dhankhar’s political journey reflects a trajectory from regional politics to national prominence, with affiliations across the Janata Dal, Congress, and BJP, showcasing his adaptability and focus on constitutional and legislative issues.
Evaluation of Performance as Vice President of India
Considerable controversy marked Jagdeep Dhankhar’s tenure as Vice President. He was a vocal advocate for parliamentary supremacy, often questioning the judiciary’s role, particularly the Supreme Court’s Basic Structure Doctrine and the collegium system for judicial appointments. In 2025, he criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling against Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s actions, calling Article 142 of the Constitution a “nuclear weapon against democracy” and accusing the judiciary of encroaching on legislative and executive powers. His remarks sparked debates about the separation of powers but also drew criticism for aligning too closely with the BJP’s narrative.
Dhankhar’s tenure was contentious due to frequent clashes with opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha. The opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc, accused him of partisan conduct, alleging he favoured BJP members while restricting opposition voices. In December 2024, the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against him, a historic first for a Vice President, citing his alleged bias. The motion was rejected by Deputy Chairman Harivansh, but it underscored the polarised atmosphere in the Rajya Sabha. Dhankhar dismissed the motion humorously, comparing it to a “rusted vegetable-cutting knife” used for bypass surgery.
In December 2024, during renewed farmers’ protests, he publicly questioned Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan about unfulfilled promises to farmers, urging dialogue. His comments embarrassed the central government, as they appeared to critique its handling of the protests.
Dhankhar maintained a high public profile. He advocated for agricultural diversification into food processing and marketing. His energetic public appearances invited criticism for overstepping the Vice President’s traditionally neutral role.
Health issues affected Dhankhar’s tenure, including angioplasty, in March 2025 at AIIMS, Delhi . Then there was an incident where he fainted during an event at Kumaon University in June 2025.
Overall, Dhankhar’s performance was polarising. Supporters praised his legal expertise, commitment to parliamentary processes, and advocacy for farmers, while critics accused him of partisanship and undermining judicial independence. His tenure was marked by a proactive approach but strained relations with opposition parties.
Reasons for Resignation
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns and the need to “prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” His resignation letter, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, was submitted under Article 67(a) of the Constitution, which allows the Vice President to resign by writing to the President. The resignation took effect immediately, ending his term two years early (his tenure was set to conclude in August 2027).
The suddenness of his resignation, announced late on the first day of the Monsoon Session, led to speculation about underlying reasons. Opposition leaders, such as Congress’s Jairam Ramesh, expressed surprise, noting Dhankhar’s active engagement in the Rajya Sabha earlier that day, including accepting a notice for a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma. Ramesh suggested there might be “far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye,” hinting at possible political pressures.
Political Consequences for the BJP
Dhankhar’s resignation has implications for the BJP, particularly given its timing and the political context.
As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar’s exit leaves the Upper House under the Deputy Chairman until a new Vice President is elected, which must occur within six months per constitutional requirements. This transition could disrupt the BJP-led NDA’s legislative agenda during the Monsoon Session, especially on contentious issues like the motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma, which saw both ruling and opposition MPs involved. The absence of a seasoned chair like Dhankhar may complicate proceedings in a polarised Rajya Sabha.
The resignation is a setback for the BJP, as Dhankhar was a key figure in its outreach to the Jat community and rural voters. The 2022 Vice-Presidential election saw his “Kisan Putra” image strategically deployed against farmer opposition. His December 2024 public criticism of the government’s handling of farmers’ issues, coupled with his resignation, strengthens the idea of internal conflict within the NDA, particularly given the current farmer protests. Dhankhar’s outspokenness reportedly caused “much embarrassment” to the government, particularly on judicial and agricultural issues.
The Prime Minister, who praised Dhankhar’s constitutional knowledge and legislative expertise in 2022, faces scrutiny over the resignation. The opposition, particularly Congress, has called for the BJP to clarify the reasons behind Dhankhar’s exit and even urged it to persuade Dhankhar to reconsider, framing it as in the “nation’s interest.” This puts BJP in a delicate position, as any perceived mishandling could fuel opposition narratives of governance instability. Moreover, Dhankhar’s criticisms of the judiciary, which aligned with the BJP’s stance against the collegium system, may now be seen as a liability, complicating the government’s relations with the judiciary at a time when it is pushing judicial reforms.
Dhankhar’s resignation could impact the BJP’s standing among the Jat community, a politically significant group in Rajasthan, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. His exit, coupled with his advocacy for farmers, may be leveraged by opposition parties to portray the BJP as disconnected from rural concerns. The BJP will need to carefully select a successor to maintain its appeal among Jats and other rural communities, especially with upcoming state elections.
The timing of the resignation, coinciding with a high-profile judicial impeachment motion and a meeting of top BJP leaders (including Amit Shah and JP Nadda) on July 21, has fuelled speculation of internal NDA tensions.
The election of a new Vice President will be a critical test for the NDA’s unity and its ability to manage coalition dynamics. The BJP will need to balance regional, caste, and political considerations in choosing a candidate, especially to counter opposition momentum. Maintaining stability in the Rajya Sabha and addressing the fallout from Dhankhar’s exit will be crucial to sustaining the government’s legislative momentum ahead of key reforms and elections.
Conclusion
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice President marks the end of a significant chapter in his career as a lawyer and politician and adds a rather odious paragraph to Indian democracy’s journey. His academic grounding in science and law, combined with his legal expertise, shaped his roles as a parliamentarian, Governor, and Vice President. While his tenure as Vice President was marked by active engagement and advocacy for parliamentary supremacy, it was also fraught with controversies over partisanship and judicial critiques. His resignation has raised questions about underlying political factors, with implications for the BJP’s image and the NDA’s legislative strategy. As India awaits the election of a new Vice President, Dhankhar’s exit underscores the delicate balance of health, politics, and governance in one of the country’s highest offices.
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