A Resignation That Raised Eyebrows
On the night of 21 July, news of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar stepping down became the talk of the town. In an almost poetic brevity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to wish him good health and remark,
Wishing him good health and saying, “Mother India still needs your service.”
This curt acknowledgement left little room for speculation: Dhankhar didn’t resign because he chose to—he was essentially shown the exit.
Political Chameleon or Calculated Climber?
An unambiguous trait stands out: Dhankhar is a veteran political strategist with a track record of opportunistic affiliations. Highlights include:
- 1989: Burst onto the scene with a 75-car entourage to Delhi, aligning with Janata Dal’s Devi Lal.
- Earned a Lok Sabha seat in Jhunjhunu riding V.P. Singh’s wave and served as his deputy minister.
- Deepened ties with Rajiv Gandhi, even as the VP Singh government fractured.
- Played a key role in toppling Chandra Shekhar’s short-lived government, while still officially a Janata Dal MP.
Party-Hopping High-Stakes
- Post-collapse, joined Congress, won Meghalaya seat (though lost Ajmer despite Rajiv’s campaign support).
- Contested in 1996 and later with Sharad Pawar’s NCP, yet did not find electoral success.
- Eventually switched to the BJP, where he lay low until a significant hurdle emerged in his political path.
Governor to VP: A Meteoric Rise
- 2019: Appointed Governor of West Bengal by BJP—a time when social media and viral politics ruled.
- Leveraged this platform to expand his influence, culminating in his election as Vice-President in 2022.
The Unquenchable ‘Dil Maange More’
Dhankhar’s trajectory reflects endless ambition and a taste for “next-level” roles. But, ironically:
- His drive for “more” may have made him a political liability.
- By 21 July, the PMO reportedly demanded his resignation.
- Thus concluded his short stint as Vice-President, cut short as quickly as it began.
What This Means for Indian Politics
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Powerhouse network builder | Prone to shifting political loyalties |
| Skilled at managing optics | Clashes with ideological purists |
| Media-savvy brand of politics | High-risk “go big or go home” style |
Dhankhar’s rise and fall aren’t just about one man. They reflect how politics and ambition intersect, and how personalities that fit one role can be liabilities in another.
Final Thought
For Dhankhar—an ever-aspiring Satpal Malik—the office of the Vice-President may have been too small a stage. But when ambition outweighs adaptability, even a skilled strategist can be swiftly shown the door.
