Congress Chief alleges former Vice President was forced to resign after opposing Centre’s stance on judicial motion
🏛️ Kharge Targets Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Party Conclave
At a Congress conclave titled “Constitutional Challenges: Perspectives and Pathways”, party president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, made explosive claims about former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation.
“He didn’t allow us to speak when he was Chair. But when he began speaking, he was shown the door,” said Kharge.
📌 Key Allegations Made by Mallikarjun Kharge
- Opposition voices suppressed during Dhankhar’s tenure as Rajya Sabha Chairman
- Congress MP Rajani Patil suspended for seven months in 2023
- Dhankhar pressured to withdraw Opposition-backed motion against Justice Yashwant Varma
- Allegedly threatened and given a choice: “Withdraw or resign”
- Kharge claims Dhankhar resigned after refusing to align with the Centre
“He was told to either withdraw the motion or resign. He resigned,” Kharge stated bluntly.
⚖️ The Justice Yashwant Varma Controversy
The heart of the controversy lies in a motion related to Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court. According to sources:
- The Opposition supported the motion
- The Centre reportedly opposed it
- Dhankhar’s refusal to toe the government’s line may have been the final trigger
Reports suggest that multiple ministers met Dhankhar in the lead-up to the Monsoon Session to dissuade him from acting on the motion. They allegedly asked him to instead drop the matter and shift focus to Justice Shekhar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court.
🗳️ Vice Presidential Election Scheduled for September 9
Following Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21, the Election Commission of India has announced:
- Notification Date: August 7
- Last Date for Nominations: August 21
- Polling and Results: September 9
His resignation came over two years before his tenure’s end (originally set for August 10, 2027). While official reasons cited were medical, insiders suggest political differences and deteriorating trust with the ruling government were the real cause.
🔍 Opposition’s Past Grievances Against Dhankhar
Opposition parties had repeatedly alleged:
- Bias in House proceedings
- Frequent interruptions and suspensions during key debates
- Dhankhar acting as a partisan figure, not a neutral Chairman
Congress claims this same partisan allegiance turned problematic when Dhankhar chose to question government positions, especially on judicial independence.
🧾 Summary of the Developments
- Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President on July 21, 2025
- Congress claims he was pressured over judicial motion disagreements
- Election for new Vice President to be held on September 9
- His exit raises serious questions about Centre’s control over constitutional offices
Also Read : Vice Presidential Election Set for September 9 After Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns
