New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday criticised former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for being “totally silent” for 100 days since his resignation, and said he deserves a farewell function like all his predecessors.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said it has been exactly 100 days since “an unprecedented event in Indian political history” took place.
“Suddenly and shockingly, in the late hours of July 21, the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, resigned. That he was forced to do so — despite his constant praise of the Prime Minister — was evident,” Ramesh wrote on X.
He noted that for 100 days, the former vice president — once frequently in the headlines — has been “silent, unseen, and unheard.”
Ramesh added that while Dhankhar, as Rajya Sabha Chairman, “was no great friend of the Opposition” and often reprimanded them unfairly, the Opposition has still maintained that he should be accorded a farewell function “in keeping with democratic traditions.”
Following Dhankhar’s resignation, the Congress had claimed that the reasons were “far deeper” than the health concerns cited by him, saying his decision “speaks highly of him but poorly of those who got him elected.” The party had also urged the government to clarify the circumstances of his resignation.
Dhankhar, 74, resigned on July 21 citing medical reasons in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, stepping down with immediate effect. He had assumed office in August 2022, with his term scheduled to continue until 2027.
As Rajya Sabha Chairman, Dhankhar had a tenure marked by frequent clashes with the Opposition, which even moved a motion to impeach him — the first such attempt against a vice president in independent India. The motion was later rejected by Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
