Why Did Jagdeep Dhankhar Quit? Buzz Links Exit to Opposition-Backed Impeachment Notice Against Judge

The unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday night has sent political shockwaves through Delhi, with speculation mounting that his decision may have been sparked by a disagreement with the government over the impeachment process of Justice Yashwant Varma.

On Tuesday, questions swirled: Did Dhankhar defy the government’s preference by kickstarting the impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha—instead of the Lok Sabha? And was that defiance the final straw in an increasingly strained relationship?

A Surprise Move — and a Silent Rift

Sources familiar with the developments say Dhankhar last week encouraged Opposition leaders to submit an impeachment notice against Justice Varma in the Rajya Sabha, even though the government had meticulously planned to initiate the process in the Lok Sabha—where it commands a stronger majority. The former Delhi High Court judge is under scrutiny following the recovery of undisclosed cash at his residence in March.

On Monday, a senior Congress MP drafted the notice, which was signed by 63 Opposition MPs and submitted to the Rajya Sabha. Not a single ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MP endorsed it—reportedly because they were unaware it was in motion.

Dhankhar’s public announcement of the motion in the House caught the government off-guard. “The government wanted to present the impeachment in the Lok Sabha first—it would’ve been projected as a strong message to the judiciary and a political win,” said a senior Lok Sabha official. “But Dhankhar stole the show.”

A Resignation—and a Delay in Acknowledgement

Dhankhar’s resignation post appeared on his official X handle at 9:25 p.m., but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response came only at 12:13 p.m. the next day, nearly 15 hours later. The unusually brief message offered best wishes for Dhankhar’s health but no personal tribute or elaboration.

Within hours, Rashtrapati Bhavan formally accepted the resignation, and it was notified in the Gazette by 1:11 p.m., adding fuel to the theory that the departure wasn’t as sudden as it seemed.

A Snub at the Rajya Sabha Meeting?

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh noted that Dhankhar chaired a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Monday afternoon attended by key ministers, including BJP president JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. But both ministers skipped the second scheduled meeting at 4:30 p.m., and according to Ramesh, Dhankhar wasn’t informed.

Rijiju and Nadda, however, claimed they had notified Dhankhar’s office, citing other parliamentary commitments.

Long-Standing Frustrations

According to Opposition leaders, this wasn’t an isolated incident. A senior Rajya Sabha floor leader who met Dhankhar recently said the VP confided he had “gone out of his way” to meet the government’s expectations, even as he faced criticism from the Opposition for partiality.

One aide revealed Dhankhar felt sidelined during key international visits—including being denied a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in April. “I am the Vice President of India,” he reportedly told the floor leader. He even likened his dynamic with the ruling establishment to the infamous Trump-Zelenskyy White House encounter, suggesting he felt like a sidelined figure.

No Support When It Mattered

Two MPs close to Dhankhar said tensions escalated last year when the Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against him—the first ever against an Indian Vice President. While the motion was ultimately dismissed on technical grounds, no senior NDA leader came out in his defense, leaving Dhankhar feeling isolated.

The Government’s Response—and Opposition’s Skepticism

While Union Minister Anupriya Patel attributed Dhankhar’s resignation to genuine health concerns, calling it “shocking and surprising,” Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the exit “raises serious questions about the state of affairs within the Modi government.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant echoed the suspicion: “His health hasn’t declined so suddenly that it would force him to resign. Clearly, someone has made it worse.”

DMK’s TR Baalu was more direct: “He resigned under pressure.”

The BJP, meanwhile, dismissed these claims. BJP MP Ravi Kishan accused the Opposition of hypocrisy: “The same people who mocked the Vice President are now rallying behind him,” he said, referencing a 2023 incident where a Trinamool MP mimicked Dhankhar in Parliament.

A Bitter Irony

Ironically, just as the Opposition had begun warming up to Dhankhar—whom they had often accused of bias—he chose to step down. A senior Opposition leader who recently met him remarked wryly: “He quit just when we finally started becoming friends.”