Union Home Minister Amit Shah has clarified that former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down from his post due to personal health reasons. Shah dismissed all speculation of political motives ahead of the 9 September Vice-Presidential election.

Health Concerns Behind Resignation

 Shah said, “Dhankhar ji was sitting on a constitutional post and during his tenure, he did good work according to the constitution. He has resigned due to his personal health problem. One should not try to stretch it too much and find something.”

He added, “Dhankhar Sahab’s resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure.”

Dhankhar resigned unexpectedly, leaving two years of his five-year term unserved. Shah emphasized that the resignation letter itself mentioned health issues as the sole reason. He also confirmed that Dhankhar expressed gratitude for his tenure and service.

Speculation and Opposition Reactions

The resignation sparked rumours, especially since it came hours after an unscheduled meeting between Dhankhar and President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, no official statement was released about the discussion.

Shah addressed the speculations, saying, “It seems like the explanation on what’s true or not is based on what the Opposition says.” He urged people not to over-interpret the situation and to respect Dhankhar’s decision based on personal health concerns.

Vice-Presidential Election Updates

The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for 9 September. The nomination period ran from 7 August to 21 August. Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan has been nominated by the ruling BJP-led NDA, while Justice (Retd) B Sudershan Reddy is the Opposition’s candidate.

The Opposition has highlighted Justice Reddy as a champion of social justice, contrasting him with C P Radhakrishnan, a senior RSS leader. Analysts note that Dhankhar’s resignation clears the way for a focused campaign from both sides ahead of the crucial vote.

Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected Vice President in 2022 and had been serving for nearly three years. His tenure included several high-profile constitutional interventions and public appearances. The resignation with two years left on his term was unexpected and triggered wide speculation about political strategy.

However, Shah’s clear statements have underlined that the resignation is personal and health-related. Political analysts believe this clarification helps prevent unnecessary political controversies just ahead of the electio

Dhankhar’s resignation emphasizes the importance of personal health in public office. It also sets the stage for a high-stakes Vice-Presidential election on 9 September, where both NDA and Opposition candidates will seek decisive support in the Rajya Sabha.