Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday reacted to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice President, urging that the matter should not be “stretched too much”. Shah praised Dhankhar’s tenure, saying he fulfilled his constitutional responsibilities with sincerity.
“Dhankhar ji was holding a constitutional post and he did good work according to the Constitution. He has resigned due to personal health issues. One should not try to stretch it too much and look for something else,” Shah told ANI.
His comments come just days before the Vice President elections, scheduled for September 9.
Dhankhar stepped down last month citing health reasons, saying he wanted to “prioritise health care and abide by medical advice”. His move sparked speculation about what triggered the sudden decision.
Shah, however, dismissed Opposition allegations that Dhankhar had been “silenced” or “placed under house arrest”. “We shouldn’t make a fuss about this. His resignation letter is clear—he mentioned health reasons and also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, ministers and government members,” the Home Minister said.
Dhankhar’s exit came amid reports that he had urged some Opposition leaders to move an impeachment notice against Justice Yashwant Varma in the Rajya Sabha, while the Centre wanted it tabled in the Lok Sabha. The government’s delayed response to his resignation also fueled speculation. His resignation was announced by the VP’s office at 9:25 pm on July 21, while PM Modi reacted only 15 hours later.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has linked Dhankhar’s silence to political pressure. Rahul Gandhi recently questioned why the former VP “was hiding”, claiming “there is a big story” behind his decision.
With Dhankhar’s resignation, the Vice President’s chair fell vacant. The NDA has fielded Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate, while the Opposition has nominated former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy.
