Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Dhankhar's Resignation: A Rift Between Dhankhar and Modi?

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says he has no information about Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation and urges the former Vice-President to explain the reason. Kharge claims Dhankhar was always on the government's side and should say what happened. Dhankhar resigned citing ill health, with opposition parties hinting at a rift between him and the government.

In a surprising turn of events, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post citing health concerns, sparking speculations about the true reasons behind his abrupt exit. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who has expressed his lack of information regarding the resignation, has urged Dhankhar to explain the circumstances surrounding his departure. This article delves into the possible reasons behind Dhankhar's resignation, drawing from recent political developments and historical context.

The Justice Varma Motion and the Government's Discomfort

One of the key flashpoints that led to Dhankhar's resignation was his decision to accept a motion from Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma. This move was seen by many in the BJP as jumping the gun, as the government was still trying to build consensus to introduce a similar motion in the Lok Sabha. The government was reportedly "embarrassed" by the announcement and unhappy that Dhankhar went ahead without consulting the Treasury benches [1].

Skipped Meeting and Lack of Coordination

Another incident that may have added fuel to the fire was a skipped meeting by Dhankhar. He had called for a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) session, but two senior ministers—JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju—didn't turn up for the evening meeting. Though officials said their absence was pre-informed, sources say Dhankhar wasn't pleased. The meeting was rescheduled for the next afternoon, but by night, he had resigned—prompting speculation that the absence of key ministers and the overall lack of coordination may have been the last straw [1].

Ongoing Criticism of the Judiciary

Dhankhar's criticism of the judiciary has been a source of discomfort for the government. He has repeatedly questioned the judiciary, both during his tenure as West Bengal Governor and as Vice President. Observers saw this as overreach where he even openly challenged the Supreme Court’s judgments. While these statements often aligned with the broader political narrative, they also invited backlash and controversy. The government was growing weary of the friction his comments were creating [1].

Change in Stand After No-Confidence Motion

Those who've followed Dhankhar’s journey closely say the shift began in late 2024. In a historic first, the INDIA bloc moved a no-confidence motion against him in the Rajya Sabha, accusing him of being overtly partisan. While the motion didn’t pass, it seemed to have left a mark. After that, Dhankhar appeared to recalibrate his stance—striking a more independent tone, perhaps to rebuild some trust with the Opposition. This change in behavior reportedly worried the BJP leadership [1].

Health Concerns and Resignation

Dhankhar resigned citing health reasons, but opposition parties hinted at a rift between him and the government. His resignation came after a full day at the Rajya Sabha, where he administered the oath of office to five new entrants. The Monsoon Session, which was set to continue till August 21, had to be adjourned for the day amid the ongoing protests and the sudden resignation of the Vice President [3].

Conclusion

The resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has left political circles abuzz with speculations. While he cited health concerns, his working style and bold statements had begun to ruffle feathers in the government. The Justice Varma motion, skipped meeting, ongoing criticism of the judiciary, and the no-confidence motion all played a role in his abrupt exit. As Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urges Dhankhar to explain the reasons behind his resignation, the political landscape in India continues to evolve.

References

[1] https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/why-was-government-upset-with-jagdeep-dhankhar-5-reasons-behind-his-sudden-exit/3923574/
[2] https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/ex-vice-president-jagdeep-dhankhar-once-got-salman-khan-bailed-out-in-high-profile-casenbsp/3927034/
[3] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/parliament-monsoon-session-day-2-live-updates-focus-on-bihar-roll-revision-air-india-crash-operation-sindoor-rajya-sabha-chairman-jagdeep-dhankhar-res-8921239