Vice President Resigns After Tensions Over Judicial Impeachment Row and Showdown With Government
🕔 A High-Stakes Exit, Minutes Before Deadline
In a dramatic political move on July 21, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from office following a day of escalating tensions with the Centre. Just 10 minutes before 5 PM, a sealed envelope proposing his removal was submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, ending his term as Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
🔻 Key Developments in Dhankhar’s Sudden Exit
- The Centre expedited his removal due to an ongoing conflict over an Opposition-backed impeachment motion.
- Jagdeep Dhankhar accepted the motion targeting Justice Yashwant Varma, which reportedly went against the Centre’s wishes.
- Government ministers and NDA MPs moved swiftly to gather support and finalize his exit before the day’s parliamentary deadline.
⚖️ Judicial Impeachment Motion: The Flashpoint
The trigger for Dhankhar’s resignation was his decision to acknowledge an Opposition notice to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, who had been linked to a large-scale cash recovery scandal.
- The Centre reportedly wanted to address judicial corruption on its own terms.
- Dhankhar’s move to bring the Opposition motion into the Rajya Sabha was seen as a breach of political alignment.
- Despite internal opposition, the impeachment motion was mentioned in the House—leading to immediate backlash from the government.
🕘 Timeline of the Day: How Events Unfolded
☀️ Morning: Tensions Rise
- Dhankhar attended the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.
- He asked when the Prime Minister would speak on Operation Sindoor, prompting frustration from ministers.
- Ministers insisted neither the Chair nor the Opposition could demand PM’s schedule in the House.
🍽️ Afternoon: Communication Breakdown
- After lunch at home, Dhankhar ignored two calls from a senior Union Minister.
- Sources say this silence convinced the Centre that Dhankhar’s time was up.
🔁 Late Afternoon: The Endgame
- At 4:00 PM, Dhankhar returned and formally mentioned the Opposition’s proposal in Rajya Sabha.
- By 4:30 PM, a second BAC meeting was boycotted by government members.
- Simultaneously, NDA MPs gathered in Rajnath Singh’s office to sign the removal proposal.
- At 4:50 PM, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal submitted the sealed envelope to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
🧾 What the Government Did Next
- 134 NDA MPs reportedly signed the removal motion.
- Senior ministers briefed MPs in small groups, offering them the option to withdraw support—but none reportedly did.
- The envelope’s contents have not been publicly disclosed, but sources confirmed it related to Dhankhar’s removal.
🧍♂️ Dhankhar’s Resignation: Official vs. Actual Reason
Later that evening, Dhankhar announced his resignation, citing health concerns. However, insiders and political sources revealed it was the result of:
- His divergence from the government on judicial matters
- A political standoff that reached its breaking point
- A calculated and timed campaign by the ruling coalition
🧠 Conclusion: A Political Power Play, Executed With Precision
The resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar marks a rare and swift political maneuver by the central government, showcasing how internal party alignment and control over parliamentary affairs can override individual decisions—even from the Vice President.
Also Read : Why Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigned: From Farmers’ Protest to Justice Varma Case, Key Flashpoints
