AdvertisementIn a surprise move that has shaken political circles, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Monday, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. While his resignation letter cited poor health, political insiders and observers have floated several alternate theories.Below are the four prominent narratives doing the rounds:POOR HEALTHThe official reason cited in Dhankhar’s resignation letter was poor health. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP extended their wishes for his recovery, backing this explanation.There’s some truth here. Dhankhar underwent angioplasty at AIIMS Delhi in March, fainted during an event in Nainital, and was reportedly unwell while on an official trip to Kochi.However, sources close to Parliament affairs question the urgency of his resignation, especially since he presided over the Rajya Sabha for a full day just before stepping down. His final act as Chairman was to admit an Opposition-backed motion seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court — a case that has sparked significant political controversy.Justice Varma is embroiled in the cash at judge’s house matter and Dhankhar has been vocal in asking why Delhi police did not register a case in the matter. Delhi police are directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs.MOTION TO REMOVE JUSTICE VARMAFor over a week, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had indicated that a motion to remove Justice Varma — who is linked to the “cash at judge’s house” controversy — would be introduced in the Lok Sabha.That plan was executed on Monday morning, when a multi-party delegation submitted the motion to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Signatories included senior leaders from across the spectrum: Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Anurag Thakur, Supriya Sule, and TR Baalu, among others.Congress chief whip in RS Jairam Ramesh announced the move that 63 opposition MPs had signed such a motion.But by late afternoon, the Rajya Sabha Opposition MPs also filed a parallel motion. This was accepted by Dhankhar and publicly acknowledged in the House.This move may have disrupted the government’s legal and political calculus. According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, when motions are introduced in both Houses on the same day, a joint panel of 3 members must be formed — and the senior presiding officer (in this case, the Rajya Sabha Chair) would steer the proceedings. As Dhankhar is senior to Birla, sources suggest this shift in procedural control may have played a critical role in Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation.BJP PARTY REVAMPThe BJP is in the process of electing its national president though the election is running way behind the earlier scheduled date of January. Some sources say Dhankhar could have been quietly signalled to resign with the government bringing someone else as the VP as part of a larger recalibration of BJP and strategies.OUTSPOKEN VPDhankhar has been known to speak his mind, which may have put him at odds with the government in recent months. He has at least on five occasions questioned the lack of an FIR in the Justice Varma case, even after the reported recovery of charred currency notes from the judge’s residence. He has also publicly criticised the higher judiciary, accusing it of acting like a “super Parliament,” and voiced discomfort over the government’s handling of the farmer protests. Sources said his equation with the Government had been souring for a while though no one knows for sure why.
What led to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation? 4 key theories doing the round
