PARLIAMENT PLOT? Speculation Swirls After Indian VP Dhankhar's Sudden Exit Despite Calm Farewell Appeal to MPs
Just hours after issuing a statesmanlike message urging Parliament to reduce acrimony and focus on constructive politics, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation Monday night. This has stunned the political establishment and fueling immediate speculation over what triggered the sudden exit.
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Dhankhar, who also served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as per rules, had called for “bonhomie and mutual respect” in a public appeal posted on the official handle of the Vice President’s office earlier in the day.
He cautioned lawmakers that “internal fighting strengthens our enemies,” and called for India’s politics to reflect its civilizational legacy of dialogue and deliberation.
By evening, that message read like a swan song.
At around 9:15 PM, Dhankhar’s resignation was formally acknowledged by the Secretariat, citing “personal and health-related reasons.”
Yet, as senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh noted, Dhankhar had shown no visible signs of stepping down—he was in touch with MPs till 7:30 PM and had even scheduled a Business Advisory Committee meeting for Tuesday. He was also slated to make “major announcements” on judicial reform in the Rajya Sabha, raising further questions.
Hon'ble Members,
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) July 21, 2025
A thriving democracy cannot sustain constant acrimony. Political tension must be reduced, as confrontation is not the essence of politics. While political parties may pursue the same goals through different approaches, no one in India opposes the nation's… pic.twitter.com/dbLu8krq0V
“This is as shocking as it is inexplicable,” said Ramesh, urging the Prime Minister to convince Dhankhar to reconsider. “There is clearly far more to this than meets the eye.”
In contrast, Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal struck a more conciliatory tone, emphasising that Dhankhar’s health-related explanation should be accepted.
“Though our ideologies didn’t match, he never held grudges,” Sibal said, calling Dhankhar a “nationalist” and a “patriot” who genuinely sought collaboration between government and opposition.
The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable. I was with him alongside a number of other MPs till around 5 PM today and had spoken to him over the phone at 7:30 PM.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 21, 2025
No doubt Mr. Dhankar has to give topmost…
The resignation caps a political arc that saw Dhankhar rise from humble beginnings in Rajasthan to become India’s 14th Vice President.
Known for his outspoken style, firm chairmanship, and willingness to challenge both sides of the aisle, he had become a rare figure commanding grudging respect across the aisle.
While there is no official word yet on a possible successor, political observers say the timing--mid-session, amid heightened legislative activity--makes this far from a routine exit.