Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns 'to prioritise health' as Monsoon Session kicks off

As the Parliament Monsoon Session kicked off on a stormy note on Monday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday tendered his resignation from office with immediate effect, citing medical advice and the need to prioritise his health.

In a move that has surprised even the Opposition, the lawyer-turned-politcian wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.” Dhankhar had been serving as the 14th Vice President of India since August 2022.


"I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy. It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India's remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation's history has been a true honor," the 74-year-old former Bengal Governor said.

Also Read: Why vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned

"As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat's global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future. With the deepest respect and gratitude, Joglup Sharkha," added Dhankar.

Also Read: What is Article 67(a) under which Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as vice president of India

A controversial yet influential tenure

During his tenure as Vice President and ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar frequently clashed with Opposition parties, often over issues related to parliamentary procedure and separation of powers.

At one point, the Opposition even moved a motion to remove him from office—an unprecedented attempt in independent India. The motion was later dismissed by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.

His departure came just a day after an Opposition-sponsored notice was submitted to remove Justice Yashwant Varma—another unexpected twist in the Rajya Sabha that unsettled the ruling alliance.

Notably, Dhankhar becomes the third Vice President in India's history to resign while in office, following V V Giri’s resignation in 1969 to contest the presidential elections, and Bairon Singh Shekhawat who stepped down in 2007 after being appointed in 2002.

From ‘reluctant politician’ to key figure

Dhankhar’s political journey has spanned over three decades.

He began his career in 1989 as a Lok Sabha MP from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, on a Janata Dal ticket, later serving as Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs under the Chandra Shekhar government. He also represented Kishangarh in the Rajasthan Assembly from 1993 to 1998.

His political re-emergence in 2019 as Governor of West Bengal, following years of relative inactivity, surprised many. As governor, he had a confrontational tenure with the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government, frequently making headlines for his sharp critiques.

In July 2022, Dhankhar was declared the NDA’s Vice-Presidential candidate and went on to secure a resounding victory with 528 votes out of 710—one of the largest margins in the history of Vice-Presidential elections.

His rival, Margaret Alva, secured only 182 votes, with the TMC abstaining from the poll.