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For someone like Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had frequent run-ins with the opposition parties as Rajya Sabha chairman virtually every day, their reaction was an astonishing development
In a sudden move, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post citing medical reasons. (Image: PTI/File)
The sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post of Vice-President on Monday surprised many, with the opposition now expressing concern and hinting at the political undercurrents behind the move.
For someone like Dhankhar – a stickler for rules in the House and a former MoS for parliamentary affairs – who had frequent run-ins with the opposition parties as Rajya Sabha chairman virtually every day, this was an astonishing development.
So, from “very shocking” to “mysterious things not in the favour of the nation”, the opposition had much to say about Dhankhar’s exit and not all of it was bitter. In the past, he has been criticised for being a “government stooge” – specifically so by his longtime foe, the Trinamool Congress – but he is now, positively receiving adulation with adjectives like “most proactive” also being used for him.
Having compared the unsuccessful impeachment motion against him to using “a vegetable knife for a bypass surgery”, his witticisms have often made for good banter during House proceedings. And not all have been sharp and serious.
It will be tough to forget the memorable mimicry row from last year, when TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee stirred up a controversy by mimicking the former Rajya Sabha chairman, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filmed the act on his phone during the winter session.
While Banerjee called his mimicry of Dhankhar an “art form” and asserted that he will continue to do so a “thousand times” because he had a “fundamental right to do so”, his target described himself as a “sufferer”.
Dhankhar’s back-and-forths with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have been rather well-documented, especially the time when the latter kicked up a “language problem” to mock him.
But his dynamic with Samajwadi Party MP and Bollywood actress Jaya Bachchan has often been highlighted. From the “name” controversy to the “kursi mazedaar” banter, the two have made many House proceedings interesting leaving them both and others in splits.
SO, WHAT IS THE OPPOSITION SAYING NOW THAT HE’S GONE?
While there is no love lost between the two, the opposition parties’ comments on Dhankhar’s exit seem like they may just miss locking horns with a favourite foe.
The Congress claimed that there are “far deeper reasons” for Dhankhar’s resignation as the vice president than the health reasons cited by him, and said his resignation speaks highly of him but poorly of those who got him elected to the post. It also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convince Dhankhar to change his mind.
“Now in a truly unprecedented move, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar has resigned. He has given health reasons for doing so. Those should be respected. But it is also a fact that there are far deeper reasons for his resignation,” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh claimed. “Jagdeep Dhankar’s resignation speaks highly of him. It also speaks poorly of those who had got him elected as Vice President in the first instance.”
The opposition raised questions over his sudden resignation, saying there is “far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye”.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal expressed sadness, describing Dhankhar as one of the most “proactive” chairmen the Rajya Sabha has seen and highlighting their rare personal camaraderie built over four decades.
“I wish him the best of health, because I am saddened, because I have a very good relationship with him. I have known him for 30-40 years. We were paired with each other. We have appeared against each other in matters. We share a unique camaraderie between us. I always respected him, and he always respected me. He has been to some family occasions of ours, and I am saddened and I hope that he is healthy and has a long, long life, and I wish him well,” Sibal said.
Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar said the development is quite unexpected and “we don’t know what the reasons are”.
“I don’t think that the president of India will accept it. This might be an initial reaction from his side. He might be dissatisfied with some developments,” Kumar said.
On Dhankhar’s resignation, AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said: “I saw that the Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar has submitted his resignation. He wrote to the president of India. He gave medical reasons for this. We can only pray that his health improves quickly….”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey said, “The news of the vice president resigning due to health reasons is concerning. We sincerely pray for his well-being. However, a question arises, today marked the first day of the Monsoon session, and his resignation on the same day raises eyebrows. What is going on in this government? This decision came without proper consultation or discussion. If health was the concern, the resignation could have been submitted a few days before the session or even after.”
WHAT HAPPENED?
In a sudden move, Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening, citing medical reasons. He sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu and said he is stepping down with immediate effect.
The 74-year-old assumed office in August 2022 and his tenure was till 2027. He is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and his resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.
Dhankhar had recently undergone angioplasty at the AIIMS Delhi. While he was hospitalised for a few days in March this year and appeared not so well at a few occasions, he has been mostly seen as lively and energetic in his public appearances, including in Parliament.
He will go down in history as the only vice president against whom the opposition brought a notice of removal for “partisan” conduct as the chairman of the Upper House.
(With agency inputs)
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More
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