Saturday, March 29, 2025
New Delhi, July 22, 2025 – In a sudden and unexpected development, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening, citing health concerns. The 74-year-old submitted his resignation letter to the President, triggering the process of electing a new Vice President.
Sources within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have confirmed that consultations are underway and a formal announcement of the alliance’s candidate is expected soon.
Following Dhankhar’s resignation, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh has emerged as a leading candidate for the post. A seasoned parliamentarian from the Janata Dal (United), Harivansh has served as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha since 2020. He is considered a trusted ally of the BJP-led government and has built a reputation for his balanced conduct in the upper house.
According to political insiders, the BJP is also considering the nomination of a current state governor—similar to Dhankhar, who was Governor of West Bengal before assuming the Vice President’s role in August 2022. Other possibilities being explored include a senior Union minister with extensive parliamentary experience or a veteran party leader known for organizational acumen.
Dhankhar’s resignation came on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, catching political circles—within the NDA and the opposition—off guard. In his resignation letter, he wrote:
“In order to prioritize my health and adhere to medical advice, I hereby resign from the office of Vice President of India with immediate effect under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”
As per Article 68(2) of the Constitution, the vacancy created by a Vice President’s resignation must be filled “as soon as possible.” The elected individual will serve a full five-year term from the date of assuming office.
While the Constitution does not specify who performs the Vice President’s duties during the interim, apart from presiding over Rajya Sabha sessions, it is generally assumed that the Deputy Chairman or another authorized member of the House will carry out essential functions.
A prospective candidate for the Vice Presidency must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years of age, and eligible to be elected to the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, the person must not hold any office of profit under the central or state government or any local or subordinate authority.
Jagdeep Dhankhar had assumed office in August 2022, with a term scheduled to run until 2027. His tenure was marked by frequent confrontations with the opposition in Rajya Sabha and his candid remarks on contentious national issues, which often sparked debate and controversy.
The search for Dhankhar’s successor now takes center stage in India’s political discourse, with several names under consideration and the NDA aiming to maintain its hold on the post.
