In an unexpected turn of events, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his resignation late on Monday evening, July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. The 74-year-old, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, stating it was effective immediately under Article 67(a) of the Constitution. The sudden announcement, shared personally by Dhankhar on his official X account well after 9 PM, has sent ripples through India’s political landscape, prompting varied reactions from opposition leaders and igniting widespread speculation.
Dhankhar’s resignation letter highlighted his decision to prioritise his health following medical advice. “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately,” he wrote. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Murmu for her “unwavering support” and described their working relationship as “soothing and wonderful.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers, noting that the Prime Minister’s cooperation had been “invaluable.” Reflecting on his tenure, Dhankhar described it as a “privilege and satisfaction” to witness India’s economic progress and global rise, expressing confidence in the nation’s future.
The timing of the resignation, on the first day of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, has fuelled intense political buzz. Dhankhar’s decision came just hours after he presided over a Rajya Sabha session and announced receiving an opposition’s notice for a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma, a development that caught the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) off guard. The late-night announcement, coupled with Dhankhar’s personal posting of the letter, has led to murmurs of underlying political motives, despite his stated health concerns.
Opposition Reactions
Opposition leaders expressed a mix of concern for Dhankhar’s health and skepticism about the abrupt resignation. Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh, called the move “shocking and inexplicable,” noting he had met Dhankhar at 5 PM and spoken to him over the phone at 7:30 PM on the same day. “No doubt Mr. Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health. But clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye,” Ramesh posted on X, urging Dhankhar to reconsider and calling for Prime Minister Modi to intervene. He emphasised Dhankhar’s balanced approach in holding both the government and opposition accountable, adding that the farming community would be relieved if he stayed.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh extended well-wishes but raised questions about the timing. “If it’s health, then I pray he should get well soon. Otherwise, I’m curious, why he resigned?” Ghosh posted on social media, echoing sentiments of suspicion. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey described the resignation as “concerning,” pointing out that it occurred on the first day of the Monsoon Session without prior consultation. “If health was the concern, the resignation could have been submitted a few days before the session or even after,” Dubey remarked, questioning the government’s decision-making process.
Dhankhar’s tenure as Vice President, which began in August 2022, was marked by his frequent clashes with the opposition. His tenure as Governor of West Bengal had also witnessed massive showdown bwteem him and Mamata Banerjee government. His resignation marks the third instance of a Vice President stepping down mid-term, following V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, who resigned to assume the presidency. However, Dhankhar’s exit, with two years remaining in his term, has sparked speculation about potential political realignments, especially with state elections looming in Bihar and other regions.
The late-night posting of the resignation letter on Dhankhar’s X account added to the intrigue, with political analysts and social media abuzz with theories ranging from health-driven necessity to strategic political manoeuvring. The mention of the Justice Varma impeachment notice in the Rajya Sabha, followed by a high-level meeting with Union Ministers, has further fuelled discussions about possible connections to broader political developments. As of Tuesday morning, President Murmu had not officially accepted the resignation, leaving room for further developments. The government has yet to issue an official statement, while the opposition plans to seek clarification in Parliament. Dhankhar’s departure has undoubtedly set the stage for a heated political discourse, with the nation watching closely for what comes next.
