Jagdeep Dhankhar, the 14th Vice President of India, on Monday evening, tendered his resignation citing medical reasons, becoming the first Vice President in Indian history to voluntarily step down from his post before the completion of his five-year term.
74-year-old Dhankhar assumed office in August 2022 after a sweeping victory in the Vice-Presidential election. His tenure would have end after two more years.
He has sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on July 21 and said he was stepping down with immediate effect.
In his letter, he invoked Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, which provides for the resignation of the Vice President.
“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 Constituton,” Dhankhar said in his resignation letter to the President.
According to experts, Dhankhar’s resignation will now trigger the constitutional process to elect a new Vice President of India. Since the Vice President also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the post cannot remain vacant for long, the experts added.
According to political observers, an election for Dhankhar’s successor is highly probable soon, as the Constitution mandates it to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament’s upper house.
Dhankhar’s health has been a concern over the past year as he was hospitalised multiple times in these years, most recently in Nainital. The exact nature of his illness remains undisclosed.
Who is Jagdeep Dhankhar?
Born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana village under Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Jagdeep Dhankhar is a “Kisan Putra” (farmer’s son), rose from humble beginnings to hold high constitutional offices in India. He attended Sainik School, Chittorgarh, and pursued B.Sc. and an LLB from the University of Rajasthan.
Dhankhar began his legal career in 1979, becoming a Senior Advocate of the Rajasthan High Court in 1990. He practiced in the Supreme Court of India and served as President of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association.
His political career started in 1989 when he was elected as a Lok Sabha MP from Jhunjhunu on a Janata Dal ticket. He served as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar government (1990-1991). From 1993 to 1998, he was an MLA from Kishangarh in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
Later in July 2018, Dhankhar was appointed Governor of West Bengal, a tenure marked by frequent clashes with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
On July 16, 2022, Dhankhar was named the NDA’s Vice-Presidential candidate, officially filing his nomination two days later on July 18, 2022. With the support of the BJP and its allies, he won the August 6, 2022, election by a record margin, securing 528 votes out of 710 against opposition candidate Margaret Alva, who secured only 182 votes.
This was the largest winning margin in a Vice-Presidential race since 1992. The Trinamool Congress abstained from this vote.
As Vice President, Dhankhar also served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, where he presided over important legislative debates.
As Dhankhar steps down, his contributions as a constitutional authority, legal expert, and proponent of democratic processes will continue to influence discussions regarding the Vice Presidency’s role in contemporary India.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resign: Full text of resignation letter
Respected Rashtrapati ji,
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.
I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency – the Hon’ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure.
I express my deep gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the esteemed Council of Ministers. Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office.
The warmth, trust, and affection I have received from all the Hon’ble Members of Parliament would ever be cherished at and embedded in my memory.
I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy.
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.
As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future.
