Why Did Vice President Dhankhar Resign, and Who’s Next?

🚨 ⚠️ Why Did Vice President Dhankhar Resign, and Who’s Next?

Can BJP Find a Trusted Insider for India’s Vice Presidency?

New Delhi, India: On July 21, 2025, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned abruptly, citing health reasons, sparking speculation and triggering a race within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to find his successor. The move, linked to tensions over an Opposition-backed motion against a judge, has prompted the BJP to seek a party insider aligned with its core ideology. Below, we explore the reasons behind Dhankhar’s exit and the ongoing search for India’s next Vice President.

Vice Presidency Shake-Up: Dhankhar’s Exit and BJP’s Search

Why Did Jagdeep Dhankhar Resign?
What Sparked the Resignation Controversy?
Who Are the Frontrunners for Vice President?
What’s the Role of the Vice President?
How Will the Next Vice President Be Chosen?
What’s the Sentiment on X About the Resignation?
How Did the Government React?
What’s the Opposition’s Take?
How Does This Impact Bihar’s Politics?
What’s Next for the Vice Presidency?

Breaking Down Dhankhar’s Resignation and the VP Race

1. Why Did Jagdeep Dhankhar Resign?

Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, resigned as Vice President on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns after an angioplasty earlier this year. His resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 67(a), effective immediately, ending his tenure that began in August 2022, two years before its scheduled end in 2027.

Date: July 21, 2025
Reason: Health concerns, post-angioplasty
Tenure: August 2022–July 2025
Impact: Mid-term vacancy
Curiosity: Was health the only factor?

The sudden exit shocked political circles.

2. What Sparked the Resignation Controversy?

Dhankhar’s acceptance of an Opposition-backed motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma, linked to a cash recovery scandal, reportedly clashed with the government’s plan to lead the anti-corruption narrative in the Lok Sabha. This move, coupled with his critical remarks on judicial overreach, strained relations with the BJP, with sources suggesting a no-confidence motion was being prepared against him.

Trigger: Justice Varma motion
Issue: Government’s anti-corruption plan
Tension: Dhankhar’s judicial remarks
Impact: Political friction
Curiosity: Did the government pressure him?

The controversy fueled speculation of deeper motives.

3. Who Are the Frontrunners for Vice President?

The BJP is likely to choose a party insider, possibly a governor or senior leader close to PM Narendra Modi. Names like Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh (JD(U)) and Manoj Sinha, outgoing J&K Lieutenant Governor, are circulating, though JD(U)’s Ram Nath Thakur has been ruled out. Speculation about Nitish Kumar persists but lacks confirmation.

Candidates: Harivansh, Sinha, others
Party: Likely BJP insider
Ruled Out: Ram Nath Thakur
Impact: NDA’s strategic choice
Curiosity: Who will the BJP pick?

The NDA’s majority ensures a BJP-aligned nominee.

4. What’s the Role of the Vice President?

The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, maintaining order and procedure, and acts as the President during a vacancy until a new President is elected. The role requires neutrality, political acumen, and the ability to manage parliamentary proceedings effectively.

Role: Rajya Sabha Chairman
Duty: Acting President if needed
Skill: Neutrality, parliamentary management
Impact: Key constitutional post
Curiosity: Can the next VP stay non-controversial?

The position demands a delicate balance of power.

5. How Will the Next Vice President Be Chosen?

The Election Commission must hold an election “as soon as possible” under Article 68(2), with an electoral college of 788 MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha using a single transferable vote system. The NDA’s majority favors a BJP candidate, with nominations needing 20 proposers and seconders.

Process: Electoral college vote
Timeline: Within 60 days, by September 19, 2025
Majority: NDA-favored
Impact: Swift election expected
Curiosity: Will the process be smooth?

The election will shape Rajya Sabha dynamics.

6. What’s the Sentiment on X About the Resignation?

Posts on X reflect surprise and speculation, with some users suggesting a BJP insider or a Scheduled Caste/minority candidate, while others mention names like Nitish Kumar or DK Shivakumar (unverified). Most express intrigue, questioning if health was the sole reason or if political pressures played a role.

Platform: X
Sentiment: Surprise, speculation
Names: Harivansh, Sinha, others
Impact: Public curiosity
Curiosity: What’s the real story?

X buzz highlights political intrigue.

7. How Did the Government React?

PM Narendra Modi wished Dhankhar good health in a brief X post, while senior ministers like JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju remained silent initially. The BJP’s delayed response and absence of ministers at Dhankhar’s Business Advisory Committee meeting fueled perceptions of a rift.

Reaction: Modi’s brief post
Silence: Ministers’ initial non-response
Event: Missed BAC meeting
Impact: Perceived government displeasure
Curiosity: Why the muted response?

The government’s reaction suggests tensions.

8. What’s the Opposition’s Take?

Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh and Gaurav Gogoi called the resignation “shocking” and “inexplicable,” urging transparency on whether the government had prior knowledge. They hinted at deeper reasons, citing the absence of ministers at Dhankhar’s meeting as a possible insult.

View: Deeper reasons suspected
Leaders: Ramesh, Gogoi
Claim: Government’s lack of support
Impact: Political speculation
Curiosity: What did the government know?

The Opposition sees a hidden narrative.

9. How Does This Impact Bihar’s Politics?

Speculation about Nitish Kumar as a potential Vice President, backed by some Bihar BJP leaders, aims to strengthen NDA’s position ahead of Bihar elections. However, RJD claims it’s a BJP ploy to sideline Kumar, though NDA leaders dismiss this theory.

Speculation: Nitish Kumar for VP
Context: Bihar elections
RJD Claim: BJP’s strategic move
Impact: Political maneuvering
Curiosity: Will Bihar shape the VP choice?

Bihar’s politics adds complexity to the race.

10. What’s Next for the Vice Presidency?

The BJP, with NDA’s majority, is preparing a shortlist of candidates, likely a trusted insider, by July 26, 2025, after PM Modi’s return from foreign trips. The Election Commission has begun preparations, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh chairing proceedings until a new VP is elected.

Timeline: Shortlist by July 26
Interim: Harivansh chairs Rajya Sabha
Candidate: Likely BJP loyalist
Impact: Stable transition expected
Curiosity: Who will lead the Rajya Sabha?

The VP race will shape India’s political landscape.

Vice Presidency Transition Summary (Table)

This table summarizes key details of Dhankhar’s resignation and the VP race.

Detail	Information
Resignation Date	July 21, 2025
Reason Cited	Health concerns
Interim Chairman	Harivansh Narayan Singh
Election Timeline	By September 19, 2025
Likely Candidate	BJP insider
Electoral College	788 MPs (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha)

Share Your Thoughts in the Comments

Was Dhankhar’s resignation purely health-driven?
Who should be India’s next Vice President?
Will the BJP’s choice strengthen or disrupt the NDA?

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