Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns: Who have been the opposite two Vice Presidents of India to resign mid-term?

In a big political improvement, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from workplace on Monday, citing well being considerations and adhering to medical recommendation. In a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar invoked Article 67(a) of the Structure, which permits a Vice President to step down by submitting a written discover to the President. He expressed gratitude for the assist prolonged by the President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the folks of India.

Dhankhar, a former Governor of West Bengal and a senior BJP chief from Rajasthan, had taken workplace as Vice President in August 2022. His time period was to run until 2027.

Dhankhar is the third Vice President in Indian historical past to resign earlier than finishing his time period. Beforehand:

1. VV Giri (Vice President: 1967–1969 | President: 1969–1974)

   
   VV Giri resigned as Vice President of India on July 20, 1969, to contest the presidential election following the sudden demise of President Zakir Husain in Could 1969. As per the Structure, Giri, being the sitting Vice President, was appointed Appearing President till a brand new President was elected. Initially, he was the official candidate of the ruling Congress occasion, however following a break up inside the occasion, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi refused to again the occasion’s nominee Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and as a substitute supported Giri, who then contested as an unbiased. He went on to win the presidential election narrowly on August 20, 1969, with sturdy backing from Indira Gandhi, and have become the fourth President of India.

2. R. Venkataraman (Vice President: 1984–1987 | President: 1987–1992)
   
   Ramaswamy Venkataraman was elected Vice President of India in August 1984. When President Giani Zail Singh’s time period led to July 1987, Venkataraman was chosen because the ruling Congress occasion’s presidential nominee and was subsequently elected because the eighth President of India. Following his presidential election, Venkataraman resigned as Vice President in July 1987, earlier than formally assuming the presidency. He served as President till July 1992, finishing a full five-year time period.

Each Giri and Venkataraman efficiently transitioned from Vice President to President, marking a notable precedent in Indian politics.

Dhankhar’s resignation comes at a politically delicate second, with the Monsoon Session of Parliament underway and heightened tensions between the federal government and the Opposition. As Vice President, he additionally served because the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the place his assertive type had sometimes drawn criticism from Opposition events.

Subsequent steps and constitutional process

Dhankhar’s resignation comes at a politically delicate second, with the Monsoon Session of Parliament underway and heightened tensions between the federal government and the Opposition. As Vice President, he additionally served because the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the place his assertive type had sometimes drawn criticism from Opposition events.

Underneath Article 67, the Vice President’s posts and the Vice President’s resignation procedures are clearly outlined. Upon Dhankhar’s resignation, the Vice President’s workplace is now vacant, and the Parliament should provoke the election for a successor per constitutional norms. The Rajya Sabha will now perform beneath the short-term chairmanship of the Deputy Chairman till a brand new Vice President is elected.

Wanting forward

With the Vice Presidency now open, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authorities, in session with President Murmu, is predicted to schedule the election course of in compliance with constitutional procedures. The sudden emptiness is more likely to set in movement political deliberations on the ruling alliance’s subsequent selection for the nation’s second-highest constitutional submit.

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