Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns As Vice President, Hunt for New VP Begins

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, has resigned from his post citing “medical advice”

New Delhi, July-22, 2025: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, has resigned from his post citing medical advice from doctors and has stated that he would like to prioritise health at this juncture of his life.

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In a letter that he wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, he wished to be relived from his duties with immediate effect – “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance wills Article 67(a) of the constitution,” his letter read. 

Dhankhar’s resignation came late in the evening after a late and hectic dat at the Rajya Sabha where he administered oath to the new entrants.

In his letter, he thanked the President “for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure”.

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“I express my deep gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the esteemed Council of Ministers. Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office,” the letter read. 

In March, Mr Dhankhar was admitted at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences following “cardiac-related ailments”. 

Last month, he had fainted while attending the Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Kumaon University.

Mr Dhankhar, who took over from Venkaiah Naidu in 2022 defeating the Opposition candidate Margaret Alva, still had two more years in office. 

There are only two other such precedence of Vice Presidents retiring before tenure- VV Giri in July 1969 to contest the elections for President after the demise of the then President Zakir Husain and R Venkataraman again in July 1987 to contest and hold Presidency.

The advocate-turned politician is best-known for his role as the former Governor of Bengal, when his frequent run-ins with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee generated many a headline — his voice often more strident than that of the state’s opposition BJP.

On the occasion of his nomination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the tenure of the leader dubbed “Kisan putra” will be “excellent, inspiring”.

“Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has excellent knowledge of our Constitution. He is also well-versed with legislative affairs. I am sure that he will be an outstanding Chair in the Rajya Sabha & guide the proceedings of the House with the aim of furthering national progress,” he had posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Dhankhar’s resignation could mean another election — the post has to be filled within the next six months.

A note from Vice President’s secretariat read: “In case a vacancy arises by reasons of death, resignation or removal or otherwise, the election to fill that vacancy is held as soon as possible after the occurrence. The person so elected is entitled to hold office for a full term of 5 years from the date he enters office.”