When a high-profile political figure resigns suddenly, the official reason is often just the tip of the iceberg. That seems to be exactly what happened with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's surprise exit. While his resignation letter pointed to health concerns, the political corridors of New Delhi are buzzing with a very different story—a tale of crossed wires, political maneuvering, and a fundamental disagreement with the central government.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his shock resignation, officially citing "health reasons," with two years left in his term.
- ✓ Sources reveal the real trigger was a major rift with the Union government over an impeachment motion against High Court Justice Yashwant Varma.
- ✓ The government was blindsided when Dhankhar accepted the opposition's motion without keeping them in the loop.
- ✓ In response, the Centre mobilized its MPs to sign a secret "significant motion," putting immense pressure on the Vice President.
- ✓ The resignation culminated in a dramatic, unscheduled 9 pm visit to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A Motion That Changed Everything
So, what was the spark that lit this political fire? It all boils down to a motion for the removal of High Court Justice Yashwant Varma, at whose house bundles of cash were allegedly found. The Union government was taking a strong stand on corruption within the judiciary and had a clear plan. They had already prepared their own motion for the judge's removal and were planning to introduce it in the Lok Sabha, even getting opposition MPs on board.
But here's where the script got flipped. The government was caught completely by surprise when Jagdeep Dhankhar, in his capacity as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, went ahead and accepted a separate motion on the very same issue, but one that was brought forward by opposition MPs. According to sources, the Centre was kept completely in the dark about this move.
This single decision reportedly did not sit well with the government at all. They felt their leadership on a critical issue was being undermined and risked being "diluted." One source stressed that if the government had been informed, ruling party MPs would have also signed the opposition's motion, presenting a united front. Instead, it created a perception of division and set off a chain reaction that would unfold with incredible speed.
The Government's Swift and Silent Counter-Move
The government's response to being blindsided was swift, calculated, and carried out with near-military precision. Following the high-level meeting with the Prime Minister, the political machinery kicked into high gear. The chief whip of the BJP was tasked with summoning all Rajya Sabha MPs of the ruling party to the office of Rajnath Singh, one of the Cabinet's most senior members.
Instead of a large, public gathering, the MPs were brought in small, manageable groups of ten. They were asked to sign this mysterious "significant motion" and, importantly, to remain tight-lipped about it. The secrecy was paramount. After the BJP MPs had signed, signatures were also collected from other members of the BJP-led NDA. The message was clear: the government was consolidating its power and preparing for a major move.
To add to the drama, all the MPs who signed were instructed to stay in Delhi for the next four days, ensuring they were available if and when action needed to be taken. Once this was done, Vice President Dhankhar was informed about the motion and the fact that a significant number of MPs had already signed it. The pressure was now squarely on him. In parallel, senior ministers began briefing MPs in groups about past instances where Dhankhar had supposedly "crossed the line" or caused embarrassment for the government.
A Late-Night Visit and a Sudden Exit
Before anything more could happen with the government's motion, the situation reached its climax. The day had been "business as usual," with no hint of the drama to come. But late in the evening, Dhankhar made another unexpected move. He turned up at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 9 pm to meet President Droupadi Murmu, but he came without an appointment. This unscheduled arrival of such a high-ranking constitutional functionary caused a "flutter" among the President's protocol-driven staff.
After a hastily-arranged meeting with the President, he submitted his resignation as required by the Constitution. Just minutes later, at 9:25 pm, the news was broken to the public via a post on the Vice President's official X account. The Home Ministry quickly followed up with a gazette notification, making it official. The speed of it all took political circles, and the nation, completely by surprise.
In his letter, Dhankhar stated he was stepping down to "prioritise health care and abide by medical advice." He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, saying his "cooperation and support have been invaluable." Interestingly, while Rashtrapati Bhavan shared a picture of Deputy Chairman Harivansh's meeting with the President on the same day, no photo of the pivotal Dhankhar-Murmu meeting has been released into the public domain.
Reactions, Rumors, and What's Next
The aftermath of the resignation has been a mix of muted official statements and loud opposition questions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a brief message on X, wishing Mr. Dhankhar "good health." The Congress, however, was far more vocal. Senior leader KC Venugopal said the government needed to clarify the real reasons, while MP Vivek Tankha noted, "There is an issue because Mr Dhankhar is healthy. He was in a jovial mood. However, something happened in the afternoon."
Even Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister and one of Dhankhar's staunchest critics during his time as governor, commented that he was in good health. It's an intriguing turn of events where former critics are now questioning the circumstances of his departure. Meanwhile, the political rumour mill has already started churning out names for his successor. Several Bihar BJP leaders, including Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, publicly floated the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the post.
They suggested it would be a "matter of great pride for Bihar." However, leaders from Nitish Kumar's own party, the JD(U), were quick to shut down these "mere rumours." JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar insisted that Nitish's only dream is to serve Bihar, and Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha reiterated that the upcoming Assembly election will be fought on the face of Nitish Kumar, who will once again become the Chief Minister.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the shock resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar appears to be a textbook example of a political power play that spiraled out of public view. While "health reasons" is the official line, the sequence of events tells a more complex story. A critical decision about an impeachment motion, a government feeling its authority was challenged, and a swift, decisive counter-offensive created a political storm that ultimately led to the Vice President stepping down. It's a powerful reminder that in politics, the most significant moves often happen behind closed doors, long before any public announcement is made.
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