NEW DELHI – Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's precipitous resignation on July 21, 2025, ostensibly on health grounds, has plunged the nation into a maelstrom of speculation and political recrimination. While his official letter to President Droupadi Murmu cited medical imperatives, the untimely departure and its peculiar circumstances have unleashed a torrent of questions, exposing a simmering power struggle and allegations of clandestine maneuvering behind the scenes.
The catalyst for this high-stakes political drama appears to be Dhankhar's unilateral decision to greenlight an Opposition-sponsored motion in the Rajya Sabha aimed at impeaching Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge embroiled in a scathing cash recovery scandal. This audacious move, reportedly undertaken without the Centre's prior knowledge or approval, directly contravened the ruling party's strategic objective to spearhead the anti-corruption drive against the embattled judge. The government was blindsided by Dhankhar's assertive stance, triggering deep resentment within the ruling party's ranks.
Sources reveal that in the immediate aftermath of Dhankhar's contentious approval, the government swiftly mobilized a no-confidence motion against him, marshaling support from an array of MPs. This concerted political pressure is widely believed to have compelled Dhankhar's decision to cede his office, thereby averting an ignominious no-confidence vote.
The stunning abruptness of Dhankhar's departure is particularly striking. It materialized mere hours after he presided over Rajya Sabha sessions and engaged in Business Advisory Committee meetings, where he was anticipated to unfurl significant judiciary-related initiatives. His prior public pronouncements had unequivocally indicated his intention to serve his full term until 2027, rendering his sudden exit even more perplexing and fueling widespread conjecture about the true motives.
Opposition parties, notably the Congress, have vociferously condemned the opaque nature of the resignation, denouncing it as a "Soviet-style" maneuver and demanding absolute transparency. They allege a deeper, undisclosed agenda at play. Conversely, BJP leaders have adamantly maintained that Dhankhar's relinquishment of office was solely attributable to his health concerns, pointing to documented cardiac ailments and instances of fainting earlier in the year as corroborating evidence.
However, a pervasive undercurrent of alienation between Dhankhar and the government has reportedly eroded trust and fostered mutual criticism, progressively undermining his position.
In essence, while the official narrative champions health as the sole determinant of Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, a compelling confluence of credible reports paints a picture of a resignation orchestrated by acute political friction. His independent action in endorsing the Opposition's judicial motion, devoid of government sanction, appears to have provoked a decisive governmental riposte in the form of a no-confidence threat, precipitating his immediate withdrawal. The Opposition's insistent calls for clarity, juxtaposed with the government's steadfast adherence to the health narrative, underscores the profound political intrigue shrouding this event, hinting at an intricate tapestry of health considerations interwoven with severe political discord over pivotal judiciary and procedural matters.
