Jagdeep Dhankhar's recent resignation as Vice President of India has sent ripples through the political landscape, sparking intense speculation about the reasons behind his unexpected departure. While Dhankhar cited health concerns as the primary reason for stepping down, political circles are abuzz with theories suggesting that his growing rapport with opposition leaders may have played a significant role.
Adding fuel to the fire are reports of Dhankhar's recent meetings with prominent opposition figures. Last week, he met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and just days before his resignation, he hosted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. These meetings, though seemingly routine, have raised eyebrows within the ruling party, with some members reportedly feeling discomfort over Dhankhar's perceived closeness to the opposition.
Sources within the BJP have indicated that Dhankhar's resignation may have been brewing for some time, citing his increasing engagement with opposition leaders as a contributing factor. While BJP leaders have remained officially tight-lipped on the matter, the timing of his resignation, coupled with his recent interactions with Kharge and Kejriwal, has led to whispers of a growing rift between Dhankhar and the government.
The meetings themselves have been portrayed in different lights. Following his meeting with Dhankhar, Kejriwal shared on social media that he had inquired about the Vice President's health and wished him a long and healthy life. Kharge's meeting with Dhankhar took place ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with Kharge stating that the opposition was keen on a productive session and wanted to debate key national issues.
However, beyond these public statements, the significance of these meetings is being heavily debated. Some observers suggest that Dhankhar's willingness to engage with opposition leaders and provide them with a platform to voice their concerns may have clashed with the government's agenda. For instance, Dhankhar allowed Kharge to speak at length on sensitive national security topics, which some ruling party members felt should have been reserved for a later debate.
Furthermore, Dhankhar's public advocacy for a new system to oversee the judiciary is also considered a possible reason for the differences between him and the government. His push for a new system, perceived by some as a challenge to the government's authority, may have further strained his relationship with the ruling party.
Adding another layer of complexity, reports have emerged suggesting that Dhankhar was upset over a letter signed by over 50 MPs demanding the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. Dhankhar's acknowledgment of the letter and his directive to take action on it may have caused friction with the government, which might have preferred to handle the matter differently.
In addition to these potential points of contention, the absence of key ministers at a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting held just hours before Dhankhar's resignation has also raised questions. The absence of these ministers, with only Union Minister L Murugan representing the government, has fueled speculation that something significant occurred in the hours leading up to Dhankhar's sudden decision.
While Dhankhar's official reason for resigning is to prioritize his health, the timing of his departure, his recent meetings with opposition leaders, and his independent actions on various matters have created a political storm. Whether his growing closeness with the opposition was a primary factor in his resignation remains a subject of intense debate and speculation within Indian political circles.
