Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar surprised everyone by resigning from his post on Monday evening. His sudden exit has triggered the process of finding India’s next vice president.

BJP-Led NDA Taken By Surprise

Dhankhar’s resignation shocked the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NDA enjoys a clear majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Still, it did not expect Dhankhar to step down suddenly. Now, party leaders are discussing potential candidates to replace him in the coming days.

Possible Choices for Next Vice President

The BJP has many options to choose from. It may select a sitting governor—like Dhankhar, who served as West Bengal’s governor before becoming vice president. Alternatively, the party might choose an experienced organisational leader or a Union minister.

In 2017, Dhankhar’s predecessor, M Venkaiah Naidu, a former BJP president and Union minister, had been selected for the post.

A BJP leader said, “We are still processing it. But I believe the party will choose someone who is a solid choice and is non-controversial.” This suggests that a senior, well-accepted leader could be the preferred option.

Another possible choice is Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh. He is a Janata Dal (United) MP and has been serving in that role since 2020. Harivansh enjoys the government’s trust and might be considered for the top post.

Dhankhar’s Time in Office

Dhankhar, aged 74, took office in August 2022. His term was expected to continue until 2027. Besides serving as Vice President, he was also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

During his nearly three years in office, Dhankhar often clashed with opposition leaders in the Rajya Sabha. His outspoken comments on sensitive matters sometimes annoyed even the ruling government.

Why He Resigned

Dhankhar resigned suddenly, citing health reasons. In his letter to President Droupadi Murmu, he wrote, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”

His resignation took effect immediately. He submitted his letter on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon session.

A Day of Political Surprises

Interestingly, Dhankhar’s resignation came after a tense day in Parliament. Opposition MPs had submitted a notice to him in the Rajya Sabha. They sought to remove Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma. Dhankhar mentioned this notice in the House, which created unease within the ruling NDA. Earlier, the government had pushed a similar notice in the Lok Sabha with opposition support.

NDA’s Next Step

Dhankhar had been the NDA’s official candidate when he contested the vice-presidential election in 2022. Now, the ruling alliance must choose a new leader to fill this important constitutional post. Given its majority, the NDA is expected to finalise a candidate soon and complete the election process without major hurdles.