Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also serves as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, has submitted his resignation to President Draupadi Murmu, effective immediately. In his resignation letter, Dhankhar invoked Article 67(a) of the Constitution and stated:

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately… in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”

Dhankhar highlighted that ongoing health concerns compelled him to step down mid-term, a rare occurrence. He expressed deep gratitude to President Murmu for her steadfast support and to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers for their cooperation during his tenure

His surprise departure comes on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Earlier, on Sunday, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal visited Dhankhar at his residence to check on his health, underscoring the seriousness of his medical issues

Dhankhar assumed the Vice Presidency on August 11, 2022, following a distinguished career as West Bengal Governor and Union Minister. The resignation triggers the need for fresh elections and appointment arrangements for both the Vice President and the Rajya Sabha Chairperson roles