Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned citing health reasons and begun vacating the VP Enclave. His sudden exit surprised both political camps, with Opposition leaders denied meetings. Government refuted rumors about his residence being sealed, while speculations mount over his successor and implications for national politics.
In a move that has taken both the ruling party and the opposition by surprise, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has initiated his exit from the newly constructed Vice President Enclave, following his unexpected resignation on Monday. Citing health reasons, Dhankhar submitted his resignation letter late Monday night to President Droupadi Murmu, who formally accepted it the following day.
The 74-year-old leader’s sudden departure, less than two years into his five-year term, has triggered political speculation and heightened curiosity in Delhi’s power corridors. Just hours after his resignation was made public, several senior opposition leaders reportedly sought to meet with Dhankhar. Among them were Sharad Pawar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT). However, according to sources, all requests for meetings were turned down, and no appointments were granted.
Dhankhar had assumed office in August 2022 and moved into the state-of-the-art Vice President Enclave on Church Road in April 2024. Located near the Parliament House Complex, the new residence was built as part of the ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project. Designed with modern amenities and heightened security protocols, the Enclave was seen as a symbol of a revitalized executive infrastructure in the capital.
Despite the official reason being attributed to health concerns, political analysts and opposition figures have begun speculating whether other factors played a role in Dhankhar’s early departure. Questions have been raised about the timing and nature of the resignation, as well as the abruptness with which he began vacating the official residence.
In response to growing rumors and misinformation circulating on social media, the government issued a clarification. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Team posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “It is being widely claimed on social media that Vice President’s official residence has been sealed and former VP has been asked to vacate his residence immediately. These claims are false.”
Despite leaving the Vice President’s Enclave, Dhankhar will continue to enjoy government accommodation, as per standard protocol for former holders of high constitutional office. He is eligible for a Type VIII bungalow — the highest category in government housing — typically reserved for senior Union ministers or heads of national political parties. Sources indicate he may be allotted a residence within the elite Lutyens’ Delhi zone.
Dhankhar’s resignation has opened the door to a flurry of political debate over who might succeed him in the country’s second-highest constitutional office. The selection process for the next Vice President is likely to become a key point of discussion as political parties begin strategizing for the upcoming general elections.
A former governor of West Bengal and seasoned lawyer, Dhankhar was known for his assertive style and had often made headlines for his interactions with the Opposition during Parliament sessions. His departure marks the end of an important chapter in contemporary Indian politics, and it remains to be seen how this development will influence the political landscape in the weeks to come.
| Also Read: India bans 1,524 illegal gambling sites and apps since 2022 |
As observers closely monitor reactions from both the government and opposition camps, Dhankhar’s resignation raises questions not only about his personal reasons but also about the broader undercurrents at play in national politics.
