New Delhi, July 21: In a sudden and unexpected move, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, tendered his resignation from office on Monday, citing health reasons. The resignation, effective immediately, was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
Dhankhar’s abrupt exit has triggered widespread speculation in political circles, particularly in light of his recent public statement on July 10. While addressing the First Annual Academic Conference on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dhankhar had clearly indicated his intent to serve till August 2027, stating, “I will retire in August 2027 subject to divine intervention.”
In his resignation letter addressed to the President, Dhankhar wrote:
“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately… I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency – the Hon’ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure.”
He further expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, and Members of Parliament, calling the experience deeply enriching and memorable.
“Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honor,” he wrote. “As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future.”
Dhankhar’s sudden resignation has taken many by surprise, given his active schedule and public appearances until just days ago. While the official reason remains medical advice, the unexpected timing has left room for conjecture about underlying causes.
No official announcement has yet been made regarding the appointment of his successor.
