Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation flags off race for next Vice President

Jagdeep Dhankhar

Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected announcement of resigning as the Vice President of India on Monday, citing health reasons, has opened the contest for his successor.

However, the announcement has prompted speculation from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which believed that there may be "far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye".

With the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoying a majority in the electorate, which includes the members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, taken by surprise by Dhankhar's decision to quit, it is likely to consider the probable names in the coming days.

One of the governors, as Dhankhar was of West Bengal before taking the vice president's office, or a seasoned organisational leader or one of the Union ministers -- the BJP has a large pool of leaders to choose from for the position.

During his tenure, Dhankhar faced an unprecedented motion for removal – the first-ever attempt in independent India to oust a sitting Vice President. However, the motion was dismissed by Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, reported news agency PTI.

The government has not made any official announcement regarding Jagdeep Dhankhar's replacement yet. The Constitution does not specify who should perform the overall duties of the Vice President in the event of a vacancy.

However, it does lay down a provision related to the role of Rajya Sabha chairperson, stating that “during the period of such vacancy,” the function is carried out by the deputy chairperson or any other Rajya Sabha member authorised by the President of India.

Dhankhar's predecessor was M Venkaiah Naidu, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president who was in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was tapped by the party for the key constitutional position in 2017.

"We are still processing it. But I believe the party will choose someone who is a solid choice and is non-controversial," a BJP leader said, suggesting that a veteran party hand might be the preferred option.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, a Janata Dal (United) MP, is also being seen as a probable as he has been serving in the position since 2020 and enjoys the government's trust.

The development came as a jolt to the ruling alliance, which had sponsored a similar notice in the Lok Sabha and taken the opposition on board. Dhankhar was the NDA's candidate in the election for the vice president, who is also the ex-officio Chair of the Rajya Sabha, in 2022.

(With agency inputs)