‘Dal Mein Kuch Kaala’: VP Dhankhar’s Resignation Sparks Political Storm
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation on the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session has set off heated speculation. Officially, he had cited health reasons. But opposition leaders cutting across party lines are not convinced. They are seeking answers from the government, referring to the refusal of key BJP leaders to speak on the issue and the lack of any contact from the ruling party.
The loudest of these theories implicates a behind-the-scenes battle with the Centre over an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma. Dhankhar's action has been criticized as pre-empting the government's initiatives and costing him his seat.
VP Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, quit on Monday, citing health issues. But several opposition leaders say he appeared exceedingly healthy. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge made the official reason a question and declared, "Dal mein kuch kaala hai." He requested that the government explain the actual reason for Dhankhar stepping down, underlining that the previous Vice President always stood up for the BJP and RSS.
Even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a long-time adversary of Dhankhar, shared the sentiment. She went on record that he was "absolutely fine." Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also questioned it. "No BJP leader even came to meet him to enquire about his health," he remarked, terming the explanation suspicious.
The PM's response merely fueled the fire. PM Narendra Modi posted a simple message 15 hours after the resignation, without explaining. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi pounced on the delay.
He said the tweet revealed the "political nature" of the resignation and claimed the dignity of the office required something more serious in response. No senior BJP leader has yet discussed Dhankhar's move in detail or admitted any internal tension.
In the background, the most likely reason seems to be Jagdeep Dhankhar's action of admitting an opposition-supported motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma. The judge had recently been under the spotlight after a huge amount of untaxed money was discovered at his house.
The BJP government, sources suggest, was intending to introduce a similar motion in the Lok Sabha. That action would have enabled them to lead the anti-corruption crusade.
But Dhankhar, as Rajya Sabha Chairperson, moved first. By accepting the opposition motion, he beat the government to the punch. The Centre is said to have viewed this as an embarrassing overreach. From insiders, this clash over timing and control might have prompted Dhankhar to be pushed out.
As of yet, there hasn't been an official explanation. Speculation is running wild. The opposition smells mischief. The government is keeping mum. Unless a concrete response comes in, the intrigue of Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation from one of India's highest constitutional positions will keep political tempest raging on.
