India After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Surprise Exit: What’s Next for India’s Vice-President Post?
On Monday evening, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar unexpectedly resigned from office, citing health concerns, in a surprising development that caught political observers off guard across the country. The abrupt resignation – just as the Monsoon Session of Parliament was underway – raised several crucial questions: Who takes over from here? and how do we get next Vice-President of India?
Let’s take a moment to consider: what just happened – and what’s next?
Health First: Why Did Dhankhar Resign?
It came as a shock when Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on July 21, citing health reasons. Dhankhar is 74 years old and had angioplasty done earlier this year. He submitted his resignation, under Article 67(a) of the Constitution to President Droupadi Murmu indicating he was resigning “to seek health care”.
It was a surprise timing (he resigned on the very first day of the Monsoon session when Dhankhar would have chaired the Business Advisory Committee meeting and been presiding over important Rajya Sabha proceedings).
What Happens When the Vice-President Resigns?
The office of the vice president is now unoccupied by virtue of Article 89(1) and the constitution does not specify a clear successor.
But, as per Article 89(1), Harivansh, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, will be acting as the Vice president of Rajya Sabha. The president can appoint any member until a new vice president is appointed.
How Is the Vice-President Elected?
Under Article 66, the Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College made up of:
- All elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Voting occurs with:
- Commensurable representation
- Single transferable vote
- Secret ballot
Members of Parliament put candidates in preferential order, and a simple majority is needed to be elected.
Who Is Eligible to Be Vice-President?
To be eligible for the post of Vice-President of India, a person must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years of age, qualified to be a member of the Rajya Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the central or state government.
Who Could Be the Next Vice-President?
Harivansh, a JD(U) MP and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, is apparently under consideration as no official announcement has been made. Harivansh is known for his neutrality and has a lot of trust from the BJP-led NDA, so he might possibly be a consensus candidate.
Since the NDA has a majority in Parliament, other candidates are probably less controversial and less politically risky.
What Are Political Leaders Saying?
The resignation has generated speculation from all sides of the political spectrum.
While BJP leaders are reportedly discussing this internally and are not making any statements, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said this:
“The fact that he resigned suddenly is shocking and inexplicable. Health may have been a reason, but there seems to be more to this.”
That feeling may reflect a wider, more general mood — that Dhankhar is departing at a time in which, although the announcement involved health issues, would involve deeper political undercurrents.
Historical Context: Rare Resignation
In all the time that there has been Vice-Presidents in India’s past, only two other individuals have ever resigned:
- V.V. Giri in 1969 — ‘to pursue the Presidential election’
- Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 2007 — after losing the Presidential election
Now Dhankhar becomes the third and the first for health!
Final Thoughts
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation is more than a constitutional event – it is a political moment. The Vice-President is crucial in maintaining the balance/order in Parliament, concerning the Rajya Sabha. The next Vice-President is on the mind heading into the 2026 general elections and they could certainly shift the dynamics/relationships of Parliament.
Everyone is awaiting the Election Commission and the political consensus for the next Vice-President of India.