New Delhi – A day after his sudden resignation, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar will not attend the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament today and is unlikely to deliver a farewell speech, sources confirmed. The unprecedented move comes amid swirling political speculation, heightened by the absence of a formal farewell—typically a parliamentary tradition—following Dhankhar’s abrupt exit on health grounds.
Sudden Resignation Sparks Political Buzz
Dhankhar, who had presided over a busy session in the Upper House just yesterday, stunned Parliament and political circles by submitting his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday evening, citing medical advice as the official reason, and asking to be relieved with immediate effect. The 74-year-old’s five-year term was due to end in 2027.
While his resignation letter and sources close to the former Vice President point to health issues—Dhankhar recently underwent angioplasty—opposition leaders have questioned both the timing and rationale behind the move. Several MPs described the resignation as “inexplicable,” suggesting that political considerations, especially with the Bihar Assembly elections around the corner, may have played a role. Congress MPs went so far as to link the resignation to an alleged script orchestrated by the BJP in anticipation of the upcoming polls.
No Address to House: A Break from Tradition
Traditionally, outgoing Rajya Sabha Chairpersons deliver a farewell address; however, sources indicate that Dhankhar will neither be present in the House on Tuesday nor deliver such a speech, reportedly also for health reasons. In his absence, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will preside over proceedings for the remainder of the Monsoon Session.
The announcement has deepened intrigue around the Vice President’s sudden exit. Opposition parties have flagged the absence of top government ministers at crucial committee meetings, with some reports noting Dhankhar’s visible disappointment at certain developments in the Rajya Sabha prior to his resignation.
What Happens Next
The race to fill the constitutional post has begun. The Election Commission is expected to notify the poll schedule for Vice President soon, with the ruling NDA widely anticipated to field a strong candidate.
As political debate rages on, Parliament reconvened this morning without its usual Chair, marking an unusually quiet departure for one of India’s top constitutional authorities.
