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India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stunned the nation with his sudden resignation citing health reasons. But political insiders and opposition leaders suggest there’s much more going on behind the scenes. From clashes over a controversial impeachment motion against a judge to political snubs in Parliament and rising tensions within the ruling coalition, multiple theories are swirling about what triggered this unprecedented exit. 

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00:00Jagdeep Dhankar shocked the nation by resigning from the post of Vice President of India
00:14suddenly on 21st of July 2025, citing health reasons.
00:18But political experts say there is much more brewing behind this surprise exit.
00:24So why Dhankar stepped down midway through his term, just weeks after publicly stating
00:30at an event in JNU that he intended to retire in 2027?
00:36The most straightforward and official theory is health-related.
00:40Dhankar, who is 74 years old, mentioned in his resignation letter to President Draupadi Murmu
00:45that prioritizing his health and following medical advice compelled him to step down immediately.
00:52He thanked the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of Parliament
00:57expressing pride in India's progress during his tenure.
01:02Reports confirm Dhankar had previously undergone treatment for cardiac problems on 9th of March.
01:08He had been rushed to Ames in Delhi after he complained of chest pain.
01:13But he was back in Parliament after a few days during the budget session.
01:18Given the demanding role of Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman,
01:22which requires sharp physical and mental stamina, this reason does hold some weight.
01:29Supporters say it's natural for someone in his position and age to take health seriously,
01:35especially when Parliament was entering a crucial monsoon session.
01:38But critics say he could have just put in his papers before the start of the monsoon session.
01:46Still, many find it abrupt that Dhankar had only two weeks earlier spoken about serving
01:52until August 2027, making the timing puzzling.
01:58Another view is that political and institutional frictions played a key role in Dhankar's exit.
02:04As chairman of Rajya Sabha, he accepted an opposition motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Verma,
02:11who was allegedly linked to a major cash recovery case.
02:16This move reportedly clashed with the government's strategy,
02:19which had planned to handle judicial corruption differently.
02:23Reports citing sources say that the government had planned to introduce an impeachment motion
02:27against Justice Verma in both the houses,
02:30a move they had expected to be a focal point of the Rajya Sabha's Business Advisory Committee agenda.
02:37Additionally, friction brewed after BJP's Kiran Rijiju and Party President J.P. Nadda
02:42skipped the BAC meeting, reportedly upsetting Dhankar.
02:46The meeting was a crucial one.
02:48It recommends the allocation of time for debates and legislative business.
02:52Nadda, however, said that the ministers were occupied with important work
02:56and had informed the Rajya Sabha chairperson beforehand.
03:00Nadda further sparked controversy when he told the Rajya Sabha that only
03:04what I say will go on record during the leader of opposition's speech,
03:08which many interpreted as disrespectful to the chair.
03:13Ever since he became the vice president in 2022,
03:16Dhankar has not minced words while criticizing judicial overreach
03:20and also condemning the Supreme Court for scraping the National Judicial Appointments Commission
03:26i.e. NJAC Act.
03:29Political observers also suggest that Dhankar's resignation could be a move
03:34in a larger strategic chess game ahead of Bihar elections.
03:38With the vice president's office vacant,
03:40the ruling NDA has the chance to induct a fresh face.
03:43Some reports suggest that Dhankar's exit can reportedly pave the way for Nitish Kumar
03:48to be the next vice president of India ahead of the Bihar elections.
03:53This will keep BJP in Nitish Kumar's good books.
03:56BJP MLA Haribushan Thakur said that it will be very good for Bihar
04:00if Nitish Kumar is made the vice president.
04:03This further fueled the rumors.
04:05After Dhankar's resignation,
04:10according to the rule's Rajya Sabha proceedings,
04:12were held under the chairmanship of the deputy chairperson,
04:16JTU's Harivansh Narayan Singh,
04:19who has been serving in the post since 2020.
04:22The silence from BGP ministers immediately after the resignation
04:26and the delayed tweet from Prime Minister Narendra Modi
04:29have fueled speculation
04:31that this was a carefully choreographed transition
04:34rather than a purely personal decision.
04:37The coming weeks will be crucial
04:38as the NDA nominates a successor
04:41and Rajya Sabha adjusts to new leadership.

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