- 2 days ago
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post, citing health concerns and requesting to be relieved immediately.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00And about 30 minutes ago came in the news break that Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar has now resigned citing health concerns and has said it's because of the need to follow medical advice.
00:13He sent the letter as is the protocol to the President and in the letter he's asked to be immediately relieved as the Vice President of India.
00:23What really does this mean going forward? What is the process that kicks in now to choose the next Vice President?
00:30What led to Jagdeep Dhankar taking this decision? Rajdeep Saradesa is with me here in the studio.
00:35Rajdeep, were you caught a bit by surprise by the decision taken the first day of the monsoon session right after Mr. Dhankar was in Parliament today?
00:44Yes, Akshita, I certainly was as indeed were our reporters on the ground.
00:48If you recall a few weeks ago, I think Jagdeep Dhankar was in Uttarakhand. He was to go for an official function there when he was suddenly found that he was feeling breathless.
00:58He had to be hospitalized for a while and there was a question mark over his health. It's not the first time. It's happened over the last 3-4 months.
01:06There have been a couple of incidents where Mr. Dhankar has had to be hospitalized. So the health concerns were genuine.
01:12The bigger question mark, Akshita, is that there has been a long gap between the previous Parliament session that ended in early April and now we are in the third week of July.
01:21If at all Mr. Dhankar was to resign on health grounds, why did he choose the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament which he attended this morning and conducted proceedings to suddenly announce the decision in the evening?
01:33So there's a bit of question mark over that. Could he have decided inter-say that's between the two sessions to resign and even all the other names that you are flashing on the screen?
01:43Dr. Radhakrishnan, S.T Sharma, Venkatraman, these were all vice presidents who eventually went on to become presidents in many cases resigned because they were then elevated to the role of president.
01:59That's not happening in this case, certainly not right away. So there will be a question mark over the timing and why on the first day of the House.
02:06If there were these health reasons and they were lingering for several months, why did Mr. Dhankar choose the first day of the monsoon session that evening to announce the decision?
02:15Well, it's definitely sudden. The timing is something that's led to a lot of questions and eyebrows being raised over what led to Mr. Dhankar choosing today, day one of the monsoon session to go ahead and resign.
02:26And he says effective immediately in that letter. He, of course, attributes it to poor health.
02:31And we have seen that in the last few weeks also with Mr. Dhankar going in and out of the hospital also for brief periods.
02:37But Rajdeep, I think the question that comes up then is what happens next. And it's very early, yes, because the news break that came in was just 30 minutes ago.
02:46But besides just the process, there will be a lot of questions about the names now. Who's in contention for the post?
02:52You know, Akshita, it's very strange how politics works. Still, this morning, the big question was, who will be the next BJP president?
03:01That's a question that's been lingering for several months now. Mr. Nadda's term expired actually a couple of years ago, but he was still on an extension because of the election of 2024, then was expected to step down in December.
03:12That didn't happen. We are now in July. We don't have a new BJP president. So suddenly from Kaurn banega BJP president, it's Kaurn banega Oop Rashtrapati.
03:21And could there be a connection? Could there be someone senior from the BJP who could now become vice president?
03:28Could that fill some of the gaps out there? Remember, the vice chairman of the Rajya Sabha is Hari Vansh, a former journalist turned politician who was with the Jantadal United.
03:38He is from the you know, he he was an editor of a newspaper in Jarkhand.
03:44But as a strong Bihar connection, Bihar goes to the polls a few months from now. Could it be Hari Vanshji? That's one name doing the rounds.
03:50There is, of course, I think more likely someone who's been a hardcore BJP person. The BJP will look at various names.
03:57Remember the leader of the opposition of the of the ruling party, the leader of the treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha is J.P. Nadda himself, who is also the health minister of the country at the moment.
04:09So we'll have to wait and see. Is there a governor out there who could be elevated? Remember, Mr. Dhankar himself was governor of West Bengal from where he came on to become the vice president of the country.
04:18So it is likely to be a septuagenarian if I may be if I may stick my neck out. But who that will be is absolutely impossible, particularly when you're dealing with the Narendra Modi government, which is known to put out pull out every rabbit out of the hat.
04:33OK, so we're also putting out right now on our screens exactly how a vice president is chosen. It could take some time.
04:40So in the interim also, you will have a lot of officials like Mr. Hari Vanshji also step in to do the duties, particularly in parliament, because the monsoon session, mind you, is currently underway.
04:50But Rajdeep, speaking of Jagdeep Dhankar, what do you make of his legacy, you know, as vice president? Would you deem it controversial?
04:57Do you think that he delivered on a lot of fronts? Controversial.
05:02Actually, let's be let's call a spade a spade. And it was controversial. How many vice presidents have had impeachment motion?
05:08The opposition trying to move an impeachment motion against him. It failed because there was a question mark over how many signatures they actually had.
05:14But a large section of the opposition felt that Mr. Dhankar was essentially acting as a mouthpiece for the government.
05:20They felt he was unfair to them. He was not a neutral umpire. On the other hand, the government was very supportive of him.
05:26They felt Mr. Dhankar was someone who strongly batted for the government much more even than a Venkai Naidu, who remember was a former BJP president who was eventually made the vice president.
05:37There was a sense that Mr. Dhankar would often speak of the government's views on a variety of issues in different fora. And that raised controversy because there were questions how far should a constitutional office holder go out and bat for the government.
05:52Mr. Dhankar though was unbothered. He went on in his in what he believed was his way of running the Rajya Sabha of his way of defining the office of the vice president.
06:03But yes, he was certainly contentious, controversial and perhaps now will miss out a chance that some thought that he could perhaps be looking at being elevated to to Rashtrapati in a couple of years.
06:17That's not going to happen. And I do believe that the health reasons were genuine. My only question mark is, why did it take so long for him to decide or for the government to decide that maybe they need a replacement for Mr. Dhankar?
06:29So that question mark will be there. Remember, even when he was West Bengal governor, he was accused of partisanship even at the time, but he was unbothered, unflustered. And that's the way he was. He liked to he liked to joust.
06:43He was that kind of a he was more a politician lawyer in that sense than even the vice president.
06:48Very true. And, you know, from governor, he was elevated to vice president. So definitely did seem that he held a chance definitely to be elevated further than to the president.
06:57But now, of course, he's resigned. And what's interesting, the reason we keep saying that this is a sudden resignation is because even today, day one of the monsoon session, you had Vice President Dhankar there presiding over the proceedings in the Rajasabha and talking about the Justice Verma impeachment process.
07:12And while speaking about it said that, you know, tomorrow we're going to be going ahead and setting up a committee in both houses.
07:19So definitely sounded like he was right in the process, definitely sounded like he'd be there for the next 24 hours, which is why there's a lot of questions about the timing and how suddenly this announcement was made.
07:29But let's thank you very much Rajdeep for joining us here and giving us your insights on what you think of this particular decision.
07:36Let's get your reactions now coming in to Mr. Dhankar's resignation.
07:40The view of the constitution that he believes in may be contrary to other people's viewpoint, but he stood always by his viewpoint.
07:52So I'm sad that he has left us, you know, and I won't be seeing him in the house anymore, but for me it's a sad occasion and I wish him well.
08:03That chair was always the loudest when we look at the chairman of the Honorable Vice President, that is the speaker in the Rajasabha, sir, the upper house of the parliament.
08:13When we talk about the tenure of Vice President, he will have to serve up to 2027.
08:19What reasons sitting on this chair, sir, will you cite for this resignation, sir?
08:25No, no, no, I am not going to speculate, you know, reasons as to why he has resigned.
08:31He has said that it is because of health reasons, so I don't want to speculate.
08:35But yes, I can say this, that he perhaps was one of the most proactive chairmen of the Rajasabha that we have seen over the years.
08:44And he would always persuade members on this side and that side to work with each other, for ultimately we work for the country.
08:57And he always...
08:59Okay, let me bring in on this broadcast, Sushmita Dev, TMC MP in the Rajasabha.
09:04Ma'am, thank you for joining us here in India today.
09:07I'm sure you've heard of the news of Mr. Dhankar's resignation.
09:10You've been in the Rajasabha.
09:11So, of course, you've been part of the proceedings where Mr. Dhankar has been the chair.
09:15What do you make of Mr. Dhankar's legacy and his sudden decision to resign?
09:18I know, well, I did see some news that he was not keeping well.
09:25But one did not imagine that it's serious enough for him to step down.
09:33Frankly, personally, I'm surprised.
09:35I mean, you know, I thought maybe he would go and leave, recover and come back.
09:41So, I hope, you know, he recovers soon and stays healthy.
09:46I mean, I wish him well.
09:48Ma'am, were you in Parliament today for day one of the session?
09:52Were you there when Mr. Dhankar was also, you know, presiding over the proceedings?
09:57Yes, yes, of course. I continue to be in the Rajasabha.
10:01Did you get any indication that this was coming?
10:04Because there was a detailed conversation about a process.
10:08No, there was no indication of this.
10:11And there had been many ups and downs with him.
10:16Because we also had, you know, moved something in the Rajasabha against him.
10:22But that's part of democracy. It is nothing personal.
10:27And I hope he recovers soon from whatever his health to determine is.
10:36Absolutely. Our wishes are definitely with Mr. Dhankar.
10:39But the Trimul Congress, of course, has had their run-ins with Mr. Dhankar.
10:43So, keeping that in mind and otherwise, Ms. Dev,
10:47how do you really look at his legacy as a Vice President, as a Rajasabha chair?
10:51Well, his legacy, he's a good orator.
10:56I have seen that outside the Parliament, he's given many, you know,
11:04he's attended many seminars, conventions,
11:07where he's spoken on constitution and judges and judiciary.
11:12At times they've been controversial,
11:14and I personally may not agree with some of his views.
11:18But those are his views.
11:20So, a democracy is to accept everyone's views.
11:24And apart from that, even inside the House, yes,
11:30we've had many disagreements and many run-ins with each other.
11:35But I think that's what makes a democracy vibrant.
11:39And like I said, that he's also an eminent lawyer.
11:44And he's given several rulings.
11:48He has given several rulings in the Rajasabha,
11:52which will always stay as a matter of, a part of the record.
11:56And as parliamentarians, we'll have to follow it.
11:59You know, that's the beauty of a democracy also,
12:02that you've had your disagreements,
12:04but you at the end of the day have a mutual respect also for each other.
12:07Thank you very much, Sushmita Dev, for joining us here on India Today.
12:11Members of parliament calling in, expressing their wishes,
12:14and also saying, of course, that they wish the very best for Mr. Dhankar,
12:18for whatever his next steps are.
12:20Remember that he's resigned, saying that he prioritizes his health,
12:24and keeping in mind the same, he's decided to step down immediately.
12:27Let me bring in Piyush Mishra also for more details, really,
12:31on the timing of the announcement.
12:33And that's what's led to a lot of questions, Piyush, about why now?
12:36Why did Mr. Dhankar choose to resign now?
12:38He has been ailing for the last few months.
12:41Unfortunately, we've been seeing how he's been in and out of hospital.
12:45But the first day of the monsoon session,
12:47he was in his usual spirits, was talking to the members of parliament
12:51about the impeachment process of Justice Verma and so much more.
12:55And suddenly, this news, that he has decided to resign.
12:59Well, certainly, Akshweta, I'm very welcome.
13:01My apologies, Piyush.
13:02My apologies, Piyush, for interrupting,
13:04but Sagrika Ghosh of the Trinamul Congress, also a Rajya Sabha MP,
13:08is joining us on this broadcast.
13:10Sagrika Ghosh, were you stunned by the news that Jagdeep Dhankar
13:13has stepped down as Vice President?
13:16Absolutely.
13:17I'm really shocked and quite stunned to hear this.
13:20This is most unexpected.
13:22Actually, the Trinamul Congress was not in parliament today
13:25because today is our Ekushay July, our Shaheed Dibad.
13:28So we were in Kolkata commemorating our Martyrs Day,
13:33which is a very important annual function for us.
13:37So we have just reconvened in New Delhi,
13:40and we are all very shocked and very stunned to hear this news.
13:43I know that the chairman had been keeping, not been keeping well.
13:50And, well, I'm sorry that he will no longer be presiding over the House.
13:54Okay.
13:56Sagrika Ghosh, thank you very much for joining us here on India Today.
13:59So, clearly, the messages, and it's very clear, they had differences, yes.
14:03And, you know, the Trinamul Congress MPs had more than a few run-ins with Mr. Dhankar,
14:08but that's all kept aside now at this time when Mr. Dhankar has resigned, citing health reasons.
14:13Akhilesh Pratap Singh, of the Congress, is also with us on this broadcast.
14:17Mr. Akhilesh Pratap Singh, what do you have to say about the fact that Mr. Jagdeep Dhankar
14:21has decided to step down as Vice President?
14:25Till quarter to six, I was there in his office.
14:30And I was not, but Pramod Piwari Ji, Jayaram Ramayev Ji.
14:35We were all together.
14:38So, there was no such thing as the impeachment of Jassist Verma's impeachment.
14:46And it was shocking that, in such a situation,
14:50we were talking so good and good and good, straight forward.
14:56We were also shocking.
14:58We were all shocking.
15:00Absolutely.
15:01Akhilesh Pratap Singh, thank you for joining us.
15:04So, you heard there from most of the Rajasabha MPs, leaders,
15:10who've interacted with Jagdeep Dhankar that this has come as an absolute shock
15:14and a jolt for them out of the blue.
15:16Because while Mr. Dhankar, yes, was ailing,
15:19there was no hint whatsoever that he was looking to step aside.
15:23There was no hint whatsoever that he would be resigning,
15:26effective immediately, as he puts it in that letter.
15:29Taking this back across to Piyush,
15:31my apologies for interrupting you earlier.
15:33Go ahead.
15:35Well, Akhilesh, for the benefit of our viewers,
15:37let us also focus on the point about today's proceedings,
15:41today's meetings, those took place.
15:43At one side, we already were witnessing what was happening in Lok Sabha and Ajit Sabha.
15:47But backdoor, we were also seeing how series of meetings took place.
15:52We also saw Kiran Bridgetu, Arjuna Meghwal, El Murugan,
15:56they're all meeting Homeless Ramit Shah.
15:58And then we also saw Homeless Ramit Shah, J.P. Radha holding meeting.
16:01After that, Rajnan Singh was also part of different meetings.
16:05So, multiple meetings have taken place throughout the day and till 8 p.m.
16:09Till 8 p.m., we saw all leaders, top leaders of the government,
16:13were there in the Parliament House and they were holding multiple deliberations.
16:16And after that, you know, a couple of minutes back,
16:19we are now hearing as to how Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar has put down his papers.
16:23But also, it's important to highlight that he has resigned on health grounds.
16:27And in the last few days, we were also seeing how he was in and out of the hospital.
16:32You know, he also fell ill during his last visit to the state of Uttarakhand.
16:37We were also talking to various people in his office
16:39and they were also telling us as to how Jagdeep Dhankar, you know,
16:43feels discomfort if he sits for more than two to three hours on the chair.
16:47So, looking at that, he has now put down his papers.
16:50But the Narendra Modi government is the government which is known for throwing surprises.
16:54And now, when Jagdeep Dhankar has resigned as the Vice President of India,
16:58we will see a new fresh veteran face from the BJP.
17:02And now, there's a process which will be followed.
17:05Now, this letter has been sent to the President of India.
17:08After she accepts it, you know, the process for the election of new Vice President of India will begin.
17:15But meanwhile, we already know that the Parliament session is there.
17:20And meanwhile, the election of Vice President takes place.
17:23We can expect the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabah, Harivansh Singh,
17:27to, you know, take over as the Chair of Rajya Sabah Chairman.
17:32Meanwhile, the proceedings will also continue.
17:34But yes, there's a lengthy process of electing Vice President.
17:37A lot of names will be deliberated upon.
17:39Dates will be announced.
17:40Nominations will be filed.
17:41And then we will see the election of Vice President of India.
17:45Piyush, what are your sources telling you?
17:47Piyush, what are your government sources telling you?
17:49Are they taken aback?
17:51You know, have they also been caught by surprise by this decision by Mr. Dhankar?
17:55Or was there some communication given to them that, you know, this is coming?
17:58Well, you know, it is very important to highlight that in Modi government,
18:03all decisions are taken after a lot of deliberations and discussions.
18:06And certainly, the decision of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar putting down his paper
18:11has also been taken after multiple deliberations.
18:15And most likely, the government would have also finalized on the name of next face,
18:21who is going to become the Vice President of India.
18:24And remember that, you know, we are already hearing the talks of complete change in the
18:32Narendra Modi government.
18:33And for that, new faces will be given, young faces will be given the opportunity.
18:37And looking at that, we will also see, most likely, we will also see the Cabinet reshuffle.
18:42And that will take place after the election of BJP's national president.
18:48So after Jagdeep Dhankar now put down his paper, we can expect other processes also to be followed.
18:55Remember that, you know, a lot of names are there already in fray.
18:59Senior leaders are there in the Modi government who can take the space,
19:05who can take the place of Vice President of India.
19:08And there will be complete change. That's what the talks are also going on.
19:12But it is also important to highlight that the decision of Jagdeep Dhankar putting down his paper
19:18has been taken on his health grounds.
19:21He has sent out the official letter to the President of India.
19:25And after that letter is accepted, you know, we will see a vacant post of Vice President of India.
19:30After that, a lot of processes will be followed for the election of new Vice President.
19:34So usually, usually the process is that even if the Vice President chooses to step down,
19:40he remains the Vice President till the next VP is chosen, till that process is completed.
19:45But in this particular case, Dhankar has also said to go ahead and relieve him immediately.
19:51And that he's mentioned specifically in his letter.
19:54Because of health reasons, he goes ahead and says,
19:57in accordance with Article 67A of the Constitution,
20:00I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately.
20:04There's a huge churn that's expected because now you have the Vice President's post that's vacant.
20:09There have already been all of these questions over who will be the BJP president.
20:13Piyush tells us in all likelihood, we could also be seeing a cabinet reshuffle happening very, very soon.
20:18So there's going to be a whole lot of churn, a lot of names perhaps moving around,
20:22musical chairs essentially that will be played out in the power centers of the national capital, if you will.
20:29But right now, Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankar, and the reason I refer to him as VP Dhankar,
20:34is because now we're awaiting that communication from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
20:38The President's office has to formally accept the resignation.
20:41And that's when, of course, Dhankar will step aside.
20:44But come tomorrow, Piyush, day two of the monsoon session,
20:47considering that Dhankar has dropped this resignation bomb right after day one of the monsoon session,
20:52what happens tomorrow in Parliament?
20:54You know, is there going to be a lot of suspense over who the chair will be
20:57or is that smoothened out by clear protocol that's established?
21:01Well, no doubt, Akshita. Tomorrow, leaders from all the political parties are going to talk about this.
21:07They are going to focus on other names.
21:08They will be discussing as to what is the reason why Jagdeep Dhankar has to put down his paper
21:13when he was already, you know, running the house very smoothly.
21:16He was looking fit and fine on the first day of the house.
21:20And what led to his resignation?
21:21A lot of, you know, discussions will take place.
21:25But ultimately, the chair has to be there.
21:27On that particular chair, a person will sit who is going to also conduct the proceedings of house.
21:34So, sources are suggesting that most likely the deputy leader of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh,
21:41Harivansh will be sitting on the chair.
21:43But that depends on as to what happens tomorrow,
21:46what decision the government is going to take,
21:48what decision Jagdeep Dhankar is going to take.
21:51But everything depends on 11am tomorrow when the proceedings of Rajya Sabha again resumes.
21:57But tomorrow, all political parties are going to discuss upon this.
22:01What was the reason?
22:03Is the only reason of Dhankar putting down his paper?
22:07Is there going to be a lot of churn in Modi cabinet?
22:11So, all these things will certainly be discussed.
22:13But according to the norm, we will see that, you know,
22:18the further decision will be taken only after the final acceptance by the president of India.
22:24And after she accepts it, the other processes will be followed.
22:28And what is also important to highlight that after the election of a new vice president,
22:32he or she will be elected for the full five term.
22:36There are still a few years remaining of Dhankar's term.
22:40But the new vice president will be completing his full five term.
22:44Before that, a lot of processes will also be followed.
22:47You know, it's been a very, very sudden announcement that none of us really expected.
22:51It came completely out of the blue.
22:53But the question that will be asked is whether this was sudden for Mr. Dhankar too.
22:58Because you look at the sequence of events of what happened through the evening.
23:02At about 6pm, you had Dhankar also as Rajasabha chair meeting with several of the opposition members.
23:08That was at 6pm.
23:09Three hours later, he's resigned, effective immediately.
23:13In parliament, on day one of the monsoon session, he chose not just to attend,
23:17but to preside over proceedings over the impeachment process of Justice Varma,
23:21which is an ongoing process, very clearly.
23:23And if today there were developments, there was a clear mention of what would happen tomorrow,
23:27to which Mr. Dhankar said, we will go ahead and ensure committee is formed.
23:31So the messaging almost seemed like Mr. Dhankar expected he would very much be there tomorrow,
23:36on day two of the monsoon session, for taking those steps forward as far as the impeachment proceedings go.
23:41And that's what leads us to question about whether this wasn't just a sudden announcement,
23:46a sudden resignation for us, but for Mr. Dhankar too.
23:50Many, many questions.
23:51Let's see if we get answers to those in the next 24 hours.
23:54But tomorrow, in the monsoon session of parliament,
23:57where we're familiar with seeing Mr. Dhankar sitting as Rajya Sabha chair,
24:02you will instead have Mr. Hariwansh Singh seated there,
24:05with Dhankar stepping down as the vice president, effective immediately on health grounds.
Recommended
23:24
|
Up next
1:19
3:59