Jagdeep Dhankhar: A Life of Politics and Persuasions

Jagdeep Dhankhar, a 74-year-old former Vice President, has worked in three distinct political parties - Janata Dal, Congress, and BJP. He was sworn in as Governor of West Bengal in 2019 and has been known for his public confrontations with the state government. Dhankhar has a background in law and has represented several high-profile cases, including the Roop Kanwar burning case and the blackbuck poaching case involving actor Salman Khan. His tenure as Governor has been marked by controversy and public disagreements with the state government.

The sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of India. Dhankhar, a 74-year-old former Vice President, has a rich political history, having worked with three distinct parties: the Janata Dal, the Congress, and the BJP. His tenure as the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022 was marked by controversy, with public disagreements with the state government [1].

Dhankhar's resignation, which was announced on the same day the Rajya Sabha accepted an Opposition-sponsored motion on the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Verma, has opened the door to fierce succession intrigue. The resignation letter cited health concerns, but political pressure may have played a significant role. The Government had reportedly been dissatisfied with Dhankhar's decisions, including his handling of the impeachment motion, which was seen as an embarrassment to the Government [1].

The resignation of Dhankhar has created a political vacuum that is likely to be filled by a candidate from the BJP, given the party's majority in the Lok Sabha. Several prominent names have been suggested, including Ministers Rajnath Singh, former Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The election for the position of Vice President is expected to take place in approximately one month, adding a layer of political intrigue to the situation [1].

The resignation of Dhankhar also coincides with the BJP's aggressive outreach initiative to woo refugee voters in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The party has launched Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) help desks, facilitating citizenship applications without complete documents. This move counters the Trinamool Congress's focus on Bengali identity and aims to reach 1.5 crore people [2].

The political turmoil surrounding Dhankhar's resignation and the BJP's outreach initiative in West Bengal highlights the complex dynamics of Indian politics. The future of the Vice President's office and the BJP's electoral strategy in West Bengal will be closely watched by investors and financial professionals.

References:
[1] https://www.dailypioneer.com/2025/columnists/dhankhar-resigns-abruptly--triggers-political-storm.html
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-rolls-out-caa-help-desks-to-blunt-mamatas-bengali-asmita-pitch-in-crucial-matua-belt/articleshow/123060350.cms