On July 21, 2025, India’s Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar dropped a bombshell, resigning abruptly on the first day of the Monsoon Session, citing “health concerns.” The 74-year-old, who seemed in fine form chairing the Rajya Sabha just hours earlier, left the nation stunned. Was it really his heart condition, or did political storms force his hand? Whispers of BJP tensions, a judicial controversy, and a dramatic exit suggest there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
A Day of Drama
Dhankhar started the day like a seasoned captain, steering the Rajya Sabha through oath-taking and a fiery opposition motion to oust Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma over a cash scandal. By 9:20 p.m., he’d resigned, citing medical advice in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu. “I must prioritize my health,” he wrote, thanking PM Narendra Modi and reflecting on India’s progress. But the timing—smack in the middle of a high-stakes session—raised eyebrows.
Dhankhar’s health isn’t news. He underwent angioplasty in March 2025 and fainted during a June speech. Yet, he was active, even jovial, that day, joking with MPs and holding meetings. So why quit so suddenly? Opposition leaders like Jairam Ramesh smelled a rat, calling it a “riddle wrapped in mystery.” Something big went down, and it wasn’t just chest pain.
Political Firestorm or Personal Choice?
The day wasn’t without clashes. Dhankhar’s bold move to accept the opposition’s motion against Justice Varma irked Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who reportedly clashed with him. Then, BJP heavyweights JP Nadda and Rijiju skipped a crucial Business Advisory Committee meeting, leaving Dhankhar fuming. Sources say a heated phone call with government brass followed, and by evening, he’d had enough. Was this a principled exit or a preemptive strike against a rumored no-confidence motion?
The opposition pounced. Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi demanded answers: “What changed in hours?” Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi noted Dhankhar “looked fine” all day. Posts on X fueled the fire, with users like @hathyogi31 praising his judicial stance, while @CheKrishnaCk_ claimed he was “forced out.” The BJP’s silence—Modi’s tepid health-wishing post came 15 hours later—only deepened the intrigue. Could this be a BJP ploy to slot in Nitish Kumar as VP, clearing Bihar’s decks for new leadership? The NDA denies it, but the optics are juicy.
What’s Next?
Dhankhar’s exit triggers a rare VP election, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh—a JD(U) ally—tipped as a frontrunner alongside BJP stalwarts like Rajnath Singh. The choice will shape the Upper House’s tone, especially with opposition tensions running high. Meanwhile, Dhankhar, a vocal champion of farmers and parliamentary pride, might yet spill the beans. As Congress’s Manish Tewari put it, “If he speaks, 146 crore Indians will know the truth.”
The Big Question
Health may have played a role, but politics seems the real puppetmaster. Did Dhankhar jump before he was pushed, or did he walk away to protect his legacy? As India awaits a new Vice-President, this political thriller is far from over. One thing’s clear: Dhankhar’s exit has lit a fuse under the BJP’s carefully curated calm, and the fallout could reshape India’s power game.