“How the Next Vice-President Will Be Chosen After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Sudden Exit”

How the Next Vice-President Will Be Chosen After Jagdeep Dhankhar: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on Monday evening has put the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the backfoot. With a majority in the electoral college which includes members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the NDA was not expecting such a sudden move, especially just two years into Dhankhar’s five-year term.

In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar said he was resigning with immediate effect to “prioritise health care”.

Dhankhar, 74, cited medical reasons for his resignation which he submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, resigning with immediate effect as per Article 67(a) of the Constitution. In his letter, he stated, "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately." His departure came on the very first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, adding to the surprise and urgency surrounding the development.

Jagdeep Dhankhar had undergone angioplasty at AIIMS, Delhi, and was hospitalised for a few days in March. Though he looked frail at some events, he was active in Parliament.

During his tenure, Dhankhar faced an unprecedented motion for removal – the first-ever attempt in independent India to remove a sitting Vice President. But the motion was dismissed by Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, reported PTI.

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The government has not made any official announcement on who will replace Jagdeep Dhankhar yet. The Constitution does not specify who will perform the overall duties of the Vice President in case of a vacancy.

However, it does mention a provision related to the role of Rajya Sabha chairperson, which says “during the period of such vacancy” the function is carried out by the deputy chairperson or any other Rajya Sabha member authorised by the President of India.

According to Article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, through a system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

The BJP-led NDA which has a majority in the electoral college comprising members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will deliberate on potential candidates in the coming days. Among the names being considered is Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, a Janata Dal (United) MP, who has been holding the post since 2020 and is known to have the government’s confidence.

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To be eligible, a candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old and qualified to be a member of the Rajya Sabha. “A person is not also eligible if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or a state government or any subordinate local authority,” the constitution says.

A BJP leader said, “We are still processing it. But I believe the party will choose someone who is a solid choice and is non-controversial,” indicating that discussions are underway on Dhankhar’s successor.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The sudden resignation of the Vice President and chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable... No doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health. But clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye.”

He is the third Vice President to resign before completing his term. V V Giri and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were the other two. Giri resigned in 1969 to contest the presidential election and Shekhawat in 2007 after losing the presidential race.

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