Despite frequent run-ins, why Veep's surprise exit left Opposition in disbelief

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s sudden resignation, officially attributed to health reasons, has left the Opposition reeling in disbelief and fuelled a storm of speculation in political circles. Despite interacting with several senior leaders just hours before his announcement, Dhankar gave no indication of any health concerns or plans to step down.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who has often sparred with Dhankar in the Rajya Sabha, revealed that he spoke with Dhankar on the phone two hours before the resignation news broke. Ramesh said Dhankar was with his family and appeared to have no immediate concerns, planning to continue discussions the following day.

Earlier in the day, around 5 pm, Ramesh, accompanied by Pramod Tiwari and Akhilesh Prasad Singh, met Dhankar. According to Ramesh, the meeting appeared routine, with no indication of the impending resignation. Dhankar had even mentioned an upcoming business advisory committee meeting scheduled for 10 am on Tuesday, suggesting all was normal.

Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who was the last to leave the meeting around 6 pm, expressed disbelief over Dhankar's resignation. Singh said that Dhankar seemed in good health and had shown no signs of intending to resign, even discussing his incorporation into a new committee, which he seemed eager about.

Despite the apparent normalcy, significant developments were happening behind the scenes. Earlier in the day, the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar had addressed the house regarding a notice received from 63 opposition MPs proposing the impeachment of Justice Verma. The motion, backed by over 100 MPs from various parties, was a focal point of the day's business.

During his address in Rajya Sabha, Dhankar outlined the process for handling impeachment notices in both parliamentary houses and confirmed with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal the lower house's receipt of the notice. He also discussed forming a joint committee for further action, yet made no mention of his health or any intention to step down.

Even in his final address and appearance in the House, he made no mention of his health or any intention to resign.

The resignation has prompted immediate strategic meetings among opposition leaders and the ruling bloc. There was a flurry of activity outside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s office, with BJP MPs reportedly rushing in and out without speaking. Speculation suggests that blank documents were being signed, though details remain unclear, adding to the air of mystery surrounding the day's events.

The opposition parties were in the view that the impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Verma would first be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, given Dhankar's dual role as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President of India, which places him in a higher protocol position than the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. This strategic positioning is seen as advantageous for the opposition's plans.

Dhankar's tenure as Vice President has been marked by controversies, including accusations of bias by opposition members, leading to a no-confidence motion against him. The motion was ultimately dropped by the Deputy Chairman.

Following the resignation, the Congress-led Opposition seems to be in a state of flux, with the INDIA bloc planning a meeting of floor leaders at 10 am on Tuesday. The agenda will likely focus on determining their strategic approach in response to Dhankar's departure. This meeting is expected to set the tone for the opposition's next moves.

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