Bihar poll strategy or snub? Theories float on Jagdeep Dhankhar's shock exit

"I will retire at the right time, August 2027, subject to divine intervention," Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said just 12 days ago at an event in JNU. On Monday, in a surprising move, the 74-year-old resigned from the post, citing health concerns. The reason, however, had few takers.

Even the harshest of his critics in the opposition, with whom Dhankhar had frequent run-ins during his tenure and even moved to impeach him, said there was more to it than it met the eye.

JAGDEEP DHANKHAR'S RESIGNATION PUZZLE

With no official statement from either the Vice President's office or government, the development has led a flurry of speculation in political circles.

There was also radio silence from BJP ministers, with no congratulatory messages for the leader, dubbed "Kisan putra" and "inspiring" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. It was only after 15 hours that PM Modi tweeted.

It is true that Dhankhar was treated for cardiac problems earlier this year, but his hush-hush resignation after an eventful first day of the Parliament monsoon session has sent rumour mills into overdrive.

He could have just put in his papers before the start of the session, an opposition leader said. Moreover, a press release by the Vice President's Secretariat at 4 pm on Monday of his scheduled travel to Jaipur later this week has added to the puzzle.

EYE ON BIHAR ELECTIONS

One theory that is floating around is of Dhankhar making way for Nitish Kumar to be the next Vice President ahead of the Bihar elections. With the BJP eyeing a larger share of the Bihar seat pie this time, making Nitish the Vice President could be a strategy to keep him in good spirits.

On Tuesday, BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur added grist to the rumour mill. "It will be very good for Bihar is Nitish Kumar is made the Vice President," Thakur told reporters.

For the BJP, a lot is riding on the elections in Bihar, where the saffron party has never held power alone.

On Tuesday, Dhankhar skipped chairing the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. As per the rules, in the absence of the chairperson, Rajya Sabha proceedings are held under the chairmanship of the deputy chairperson.

JD(U)'s Harivansh Narayan Singh has been serving in the post since 2020. With Harivansh now set to chair proceedings for the remainder of the session till elections are conducted, the optics of a Bihar leader calling the shots in the Upper House augurs well for the NDA ahead of the polls.

INSULT BEHIND JAGDEEP DHANKHAR'S EXIT?

Another theory that has been reported widely is the chain of events on the first day of the Monsoon session.

On Monday, Dhankhar announced that he received a notice signed by 68 opposition MPs seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose house a large cash stash was recovered, and that he was admitting the same.

The Vice President's supposed haste in acting on the opposition's notice, at a time when the government was moving a motion sponsored by it in the Lok Sabha, left a bad taste, denying the NDA bragging rights.

What lent an inch of credibility to the government's displeasure was JP Nadda, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, and Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, skipping a meeting called by Dhankhar later in the day.

The meeting was a crucial one of the Rajya Sabha's Business Advisory Committee (BAC). It recommends the allocation of time for debates and legislative business.

Nadda, however, said the ministers were occupied with important work and had informed the Rajya Sabha chairperson beforehand.

The Congress also pointed to a remark by Nadda earlier in the day that it called an "insult" to the Vice President.

"Nothing will go on record, only what I say will go on record," Nadda was heard saying while pointing towards Dhankhar amid opposition uproar in the Rajya Sabha over Operation Sindoor. Nadda, however, said his remarks were directed at the opposition MPs.

FREQUENT TUSSLE WITH JUDICIARY

Another theory is that Dhankhar's my way or highway approach, especially regarding his sharp remarks on the judiciary, irked some in the government.

Ever since he became the Vice President in 2022, Dhankhar has not minced words while criticising "judicial overreach" and also condemned the Supreme Court for scrapping the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act.

The remarks were viewed as those reflecting the stand of the government, making it open to receiving brickbats.

- Ends