Clashes, controversies, constitutional confrontations: Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden VP exit captures an eventful tenure

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down unexpectedly on Monday, bringing a dramatic end to a tenure defined by sharp exchanges, high drama with Opposition leader, and several contentious interventions in the Rajya Sabha.

The timing of his resignation raised eyebrows—it came just hours after he presided over the Upper House and admitted a motion backed by 68 Opposition MPs seeking the removal of Allahabad High Court’s Justice Yashwant Varma, in connection with the controversial cashpile case.

Controversial start as RJ Chairman
Dhankhar assumed the office of Vice President—and with it, the role of Rajya Sabha Chairperson—in August 2022. His arrival was anything but quiet.

During his first Winter Session, he publicly criticised the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to nullify the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act.

Calling it a “glaring compromise” of the legislature’s authority, Dhankhar signalled early on that he wouldn’t shy away from challenging judicial verdicts—an unusual and provocative posture for someone in his constitutional role.


Frequent clashes with Opposition MPs
Dhankhar’s interactions with Opposition members often veered into conflict.

In August 2023, amid mounting pressure from the Opposition for PM Modi to speak in the Rajya Sabha on the violence in Manipur, Dhankhar flatly declined to summon the PM, arguing it was up to him—as with any MP—to decide when to attend.

The relationship further deteriorated in the Winter Session of 2023, when an unprecedented 146 lawmakers—mostly from Opposition benches—were suspended for insisting on a discussion about a breach of security within Parliament.

The mass suspension, the largest in Indian legislative history, only widened the chasm between Dhankhar and the Opposition.

Impeachment threat
In December 2024, Dhankhar faced a rare challenge: a no-confidence motion filed by the Opposition, making him the first Vice President to face such a prospect.

Though the motion didn’t advance, it reflected how deeply polarising his term had become.

Contentious remarks & political stances

Throughout his vice-presidency, Dhankhar was frequently criticised for partisan rhetoric:

• He waved away Opposition efforts to raise the farmers’ protest, dismissing them as insincere “crocodile tears,” prompting walkouts.
• When Opposition leaders sought to debate the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics, he accused them of exploiting the athlete’s situation for political mileage.
• He openly praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it a “global think tank” with an “unquestionable” role in nation-building—a remark that aligned him closely with the ruling party’s worldview.
• And in veiled digs, Dhankhar accused certain constitutional figures of acting as “enemies of the nation,” remarks widely interpreted as targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Tumultuous tenure as Bengal Governor
Before rising to the Vice Presidency, Dhankhar served as the Governor of West Bengal, where he had a famously combative equation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

His time there was punctuated by frequent criticism of the state government—on issues ranging from post-poll violence and law enforcement to allegations of corruption and irregular university appointments.

In retaliation, the Trinamool-led state government accused him of sitting on crucial legislation.

The face-off peaked in 2022 when the state legislature passed a law stripping the Governor of the role of university chancellor—assigning it instead to the Chief Minister, in a clear rebuke of his assertive approach.