New Delhi [India], July 22 (HBTV): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the Chair, on Tuesday announced that the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice President of India has been accepted by President Droupadi Murmu. Following his resignation, Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh presided over the proceedings.

The Chair informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs, via its notification, conveyed Dhankhar’s resignation under Article 67(a) of the Constitution, effective immediately. The announcement was made just before the Upper House was adjourned until 2:00 PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: ‘Jagdeep Dhankhar has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.’

Amid speculation over the reasons behind Dhankhar’s resignation, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi described the move as ‘sudden and unfortunate’. He noted that Dhankhar had chaired a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Monday and claimed that the absence of a Union Minister from the scheduled meeting indicated a strain in ties between the Vice President and the Centre.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also cast doubt on Dhankhar’s stated health reasons, calling the resignation a sign of ‘an impending political storm’. ‘He was present and in good health during the first meeting yesterday. After BJP president JP Nadda did not attend the second meeting, the resignation followed. It is not about health. It is serious that the VP resigned during the ongoing session,’ Baghel told reporters.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh echoed similar sentiments, calling the resignation ‘shocking’ and ‘unimaginable’. He added, ‘Until around 5 PM this evening, I was with him, along with several other MPs, and at 7:30 PM, I had a phone conversation with him. While health is important, clearly there is more to his completely unexpected resignation than meets the eye.’

Earlier on Monday, Dhankhar had formally cited health concerns as the reason for his departure. ‘To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution,’ his resignation letter stated.

This development comes amid reports that a committee is likely to be formed to investigate allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. MPs in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had issued notices seeking his removal after an in-house inquiry committee reportedly found semi-burnt wads of cash at his residence following a fire incident.

(ANI)