Congress MP Hints Impeachment Motion Against Dhankhar Preceded His Exit, Party Takes Aim At Modi’s ‘Non-Post’
The sudden resignation of ex-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has triggered a political storm, with the Congress suggesting that the reasons behind his departure are far more serious than the official explanation of health issues. While the Prime Minister expressed well wishes on X, the Congress was quick to raise questions, alleging that the Vice President’s exit was not entirely voluntary.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress MP Manickam Tagore speculated about an impeachment motion, saying, “We heard inside the corridors of Parliament that the BJP MPs were signing an impeachment motion yesterday, even ministers were signing it. Whose impeachment were they doing? It was on white paper. The resignation followed in the night. Now, after about 12 hours, the Prime Minister has come out with a statement. Let's wait for Mr Dhankhar, for 2-3 weeks, to come out; he will tell the truth after some time what has happened to him.”
Amid ‘Forced Resignation’ Claims, Congress Takes Aim At PM Modi’s ‘Non-Post’
Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, described the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter as suspicious. “PM's non-post on X regarding Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar's forced resignation has only added to the mystery of his abrupt exit. Surely the PM could have been a bit more gracious — he is, after all, the supreme master of hypocrisy,” Ramesh said in a post on X. “The kisanputra is being denied even a dignified farewell,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier posted on X, stating, “Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.”
However, the Congress continued to question the timeline of events, particularly the absence of BJP leaders J P Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from a key Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.
According to Ramesh, Dhankhar chaired a BAC meeting at 12:30 PM on Monday, which both Nadda and Rijiju attended. The committee decided to reconvene at 4:30 PM, but the two ministers reportedly did not show up, nor did they inform Dhankhar of their absence. “Rightly he took umbrage and rescheduled the BAC for today at 1 PM,” Ramesh claimed.
Congress leader K C Venugopal demanded a government explanation. Congress MP Vivek Tankha also found the resignation puzzling. “It’s very unexpected. It shouldn’t have happened the way it has happened. There is an issue because he is healthy. He was in a jovial mood. However, something happened in the afternoon. Ministers didn’t appear for his meeting. He might have felt insulted,” Tankha told reporters. Earlier on X, he remarked, “While presiding over Rajya Sabha yesterday he was his good jolly self!! Did the way he proactively handled the 2 impeachment motions (Justice Yadav & Verma) yesterday the last straw!!”
In a detailed reflection on Dhankhar’s tenure, Ramesh said the Vice President had consistently taken on both the government and the Opposition. “While always lauding the post-2014 India, he spoke fearlessly for the welfare of farmers, forcefully against what he called ‘ahankar (arrogance)’ in public life, and strongly on judicial accountability and restraint,” Ramesh stated.
“He was a stickler for norms, proprieties, and protocol, which he believed were being consistently disregarded in both his capacities,” Ramesh added, suggesting that such principles may have contributed to the abrupt resignation.
“He had fixed a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee tomorrow at 1 PM. He was also to make some major announcements related to the judiciary tomorrow,” Ramesh said on Monday night.
In a post made hours after Dhankhar sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, Ramesh expressed shock: “The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable. I was with him alongside a number of other MPs till around 5 PM today and had spoken to him over the phone at 7:30 PM.”
He added, “No doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health. But clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye.” Ramesh further urged, “We wish him the best of health but also request him to reconsider his decision. We also expect the Prime Minister to get Mr Dhankhar to change his mind. This will be in the nation's interest.”
Dhankhar, 74, who took office in August 2022, had three years left in his tenure. His abrupt exit has now become the centre of a swirling political controversy.
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