Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday submitted his resignation from his post “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” The resignation is effective immediately and was submitted in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
Jagdeep Dhankhar had been serving as the Vice President of India since 2022. He earlier served as the governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022.
In a letter addressed to the President, Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep gratitude to the Prime Minister, and members of Parliament for their support during his tenure.
“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,” Jagdeep Dhankhar said in his letter to President Droupadi Murmu.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure,” Dhankhar said .
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," he added.
He also thanked Members of Parliament, saying, “The warmth, trust, and affection I have received from all the Hon'ble Members of Parliament would ever be cherished at and embedded in my memory”.
"I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy. It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India's remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation's history has been a true honor," Dhankhar's letter further read.
Dhankhar said as he leaves the esteemed office, he is “filled with pride in Bharat's global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future.”
In 2022, Jagdeep Dhankhar was sworn in as the 14th Vice President. Dhankhar defeated opposition candidate Margaret Alva in the Vice Presidential election held on 6 August 2022. Dhankhar got 528 votes out of a total of 725, while Alva got 182 votes.
Dhankhar's health suddenly deteriorated on June 25
On June 25, Jagdeep Dhankhar's health suddenly deteriorated after an event in Uttarakhand. He was immediately taken to Nainital Raj Bhavan, where the doctor checked him. Dhankhar had arrived as the chief guest at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kumaon University in Nainital. After the program was over, Dhankhar came out with his hand on the shoulder of former MP Mahendra Singh Pal. Then he hugged Mahendra Pal and started crying. After walking about 10 steps, Dhankhar suddenly felt pain in his chest. Former MP Mahendra Pal and security personnel took care of him.
Dhankhar is a resident of Jhunjhunu
Dhankhar is a resident of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on 18 May 1951 in a simple farmer family in Jhunjhunu district and his early education was in the village. Then he was admitted to Sainik School Chittorgarh. Dhankhar was selected in NDA (National Defense Academy), but he did not go. He graduated from Rajasthan University. After this, he studied LLB. He started practicing law while living in Jaipur.
70-year-old Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has been the Governor of Bengal, was appointed the 28th Governor of Bengal by then President Ramnath Kovind on 30 July 2019. He was a Lok Sabha MP from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan from 1989 to 1991. He was also a Union Minister in the governments of VP Singh and Chandrashekhar from 1989 to 1991.
Prakash Kumar Pandey