Congress president alleges ex-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar consistently silenced opposition voices in Rajya Sabha.
Days after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post, citing health concerns, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said he had no information on the real reason behind the decision, calling it a matter “between him and Prime Minister Modi.”
The resignation, submitted on July 21, came without prior indication and has stirred speculation over whether Dhankhar stepped down solely due to medical issues or under political pressure, particularly after recent remarks seen as sympathetic to farmer concerns.
Kharge, who leads the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, used the occasion to criticize Dhankhar’s conduct during his tenure, accusing him of repeatedly denying the opposition the opportunity to raise key national issues.
He noted that under Dhankhar's chairmanship, the House frequently blocked or ignored debates on issues like foreign policy, women's safety, atrocities against Dalits, communal violence, and farmers' welfare.
The Congress chief emphasized that parliamentary fairness was frequently compromised, with the Rajya Sabha’s role as a platform for diverse political voices eroded during Dhankhar’s term.
Although Dhankhar gave President Droupadi Murmu an official letter citing health concerns, the suddenness of the resignation has caused political circles to wonder why and when it was made.
No immediate successor has been named, and the government has yet to comment on the speculation that Dhankhar’s stance on agrarian issues may have caused internal friction.
In Karnataka, Kharge refrained from responding to rumors that the state Congress unit may undergo a leadership change. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who presently serves as both the KPCC president and the DCM, is at the center of the conversation.
Pressure to resign from one of the two roles is mounting as the party prepares for the upcoming civic elections, with some claiming that a clearer separation of powers is required.
Neither Dhankhar nor the Prime Minister's Office has given a comprehensive public explanation for the resignation; therefore, the real reasons are still unknown. But for the Congress, it has turned into a chance to draw attention to perceived procedural bias and institutional imbalance in Parliament.
Until further clarification emerges, Dhankhar’s exit continues to raise more questions than it answers—both within Parliament and beyond.
