Jagdeep Dhankhar’s shock exit triggers high-stakes hunt for new Vice President

In an unexpected political development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 evening tendered his resignation with immediate effect, citing medical concerns. His sudden exit, coming just two years into his five-year term, has jolted the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and kickstarted the race to identify his successor for the prestigious constitutional post.

"To prioritize 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 Constitution," Dhankhar wrote in his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu.

The 74-year-old, who assumed office in August 2022, also held the position of Rajya Sabha Chairman. His resignation landed on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, compounding tensions in the Upper House after a controversial motion was introduced to impeach Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma — a motion Dhankhar acknowledged in the House earlier that day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a restrained farewell message on X wrote:

“Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.”

NDA left scrambling for a replacement

While the NDA commands a comfortable majority in the Vice Presidential electoral college — comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha — Dhankhar’s abrupt departure has left party strategists racing to agree on a suitable successor.

“This came as a surprise. We are still processing it, but the party will likely go with a solid, non-controversial name,” a senior BJP leader said, hinting at the possibility of a seasoned party hand or a widely respected constitutional figure taking the mantle.

Possible contenders include sitting governors — much like Dhankhar himself, who was West Bengal’s Governor before his elevation — as well as experienced Union Ministers or veteran BJP leaders known for their organizational depth.

Names doing the rounds include Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, a Janata Dal (United) MP who has been in office since 2020 and is considered a trusted figure within the NDA.

A tenure of friction and flamboyance

Dhankhar’s brief tenure was often marked by friction with opposition MPs and vocal commentary on sensitive issues, which at times reportedly irked even his own government. Though he was projected as a constitutional conservative, his frequent interventions in the House and remarks on judicial matters often made headlines.

His predecessor, M Venkaiah Naidu, a former BJP national president and Union Minister, had completed a comparatively smoother term. The contrast in styles may inform the NDA’s eventual choice of candidate — likely someone seen as affable, steady, and less combative.

As the political calculus begins, the coming days will be crucial for the ruling coalition, not only in managing parliamentary proceedings in Dhankhar’s absence but also in steering the high-profile selection process that lies ahead.