After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Shock Exit, Successor Speculations Begin; How Will The Next Vice-President Be Chosen

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation late Monday evening, citing health concerns as the reason for stepping down.

In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar stated that he was resigning with immediate effect, in line with Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution.

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately,” the 74-year-old wrote.

Background and Tenure

Dhankhar assumed office in August 2022 and was expected to serve till 2027. His time in office saw frequent tensions with the Opposition, notably including an unprecedented motion for his removal in the Rajya Sabha — the first-ever such move in independent India — which was ultimately dismissed by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.

In March 2025, he had undergone angioplasty at AIIMS Delhi and appeared increasingly frail in recent public appearances, although he remained active in parliamentary proceedings.

Constitutional Provisions After Vacancy

While the Constitution does not directly address the vacancy of the Vice President’s post, it does specify that in the absence of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, their duties are to be performed by the Deputy Chairman, or by another member authorised by the President of India.

The process for electing the next Vice President is laid out in Article 66, which requires voting by an Electoral College consisting of members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, through proportional representation using the single transferable vote method.

Who Could Be Next Vice President?

Among the names emerging as potential successors is Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, a Janata Dal (United) MP known to enjoy the trust of the ruling NDA. Harivansh has held the post since 2020 and played a key role in parliamentary operations.

The BJP-led NDA, which holds a comfortable majority in the Electoral College, is expected to announce its nominee after internal consultations. A senior BJP leader told HT, “We are still processing it. But I believe the party will choose someone who is a solid choice and is non-controversial.”

Opposition’s Reaction

The resignation has raised eyebrows across political circles. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh remarked:

“The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable… Clearly, there is far more to this totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye.”