New Delhi – In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through India’s political establishment, it has been revealed that the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar hours before his unexpected resignation on Monday evening. This unprecedented intervention by senior government ministers highlights the deep tensions that led to the former Vice President’s abrupt departure from office.
Senior Ministers’ Emergency Intervention
The Centre reached out VP Dhankhar through at least two senior ministers after the government discovered he had acknowledged an opposition-sponsored impeachment notice against Justice Yashwant Varma. Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who also serves as Leader of the Rajya Sabha, and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were the key figures who initiated contact with the 74-year-old Vice President.
These critical conversations took place on Monday after Dhankhar had already announced in the Rajya Sabha that he had received the impeachment notice signed by 63 opposition members. The timing of when the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar proved crucial, as it occurred between the first and second Business Advisory Committee meetings of the day.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Rijiju specifically told Dhankhar that in the Lok Sabha, there is an established process of building consensus on impeachment matters. He pointed out that even Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had signed the notice, making the situation more complex.
Also Read: Jagdeep Dhankhar Resignation Reason: Opposition Notice Triggers VP Exit
Prime Minister’s Disapproval Communicated
Most significantly, when the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar, one of the ministers indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not pleased with the sudden development. This direct communication of the PM’s displeasure represented an extraordinary moment in the relationship between the executive and the Vice President’s office.
However, Dhankhar maintained his position during these discussions, indicating that he was acting well within the constitutional rules of the House. His response to the government’s concerns when the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar demonstrated his firm belief that his actions were procedurally correct and constitutionally sound.
This exchange proved to be the final straw in an already tense relationship. It was only after this conversation that both JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju decided not to attend the second Business Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for 4:30 PM on Monday, marking a clear break in protocol.
The Impeachment Notice Controversy
The controversy that prompted the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar stems from his handling of the impeachment notice against Justice Yashwant Varma. The former Delhi High Court judge faces serious allegations after cash was recovered from his residence in March, leading to corruption charges.
Last week, Dhankhar had reportedly asked opposition leaders to submit an impeachment notice in the Rajya Sabha, despite the government’s preference for processing such matters through the Lok Sabha first. When the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar on Monday, it was precisely to address this deviation from the government’s planned strategy.
A senior Congress lawyer had hurriedly prepared the impeachment notice on Sunday, securing signatures from all 63 opposition MPs by Monday. Notably, not a single National Democratic Alliance member signed the notice, as the NDA was completely unaware of its preparation until Dhankhar’s announcement.
Government’s Strategic Disruption
The situation that led the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar represented a complete derailment of the government’s carefully orchestrated plan. The BJP had intended to process Justice Varma’s impeachment through the Lok Sabha first, which would have positioned the move as a government success while sending a clear message to the judiciary.
Dhankhar’s announcement in the House came after the first Business Advisory Committee meeting, where he stated: “I need to inform you that I have received notice of motion under Article 217(1)(B) read with Article 218 and Article 124 to constitute a statutory committee for removal of Justice Yashwant Varma.”
This procedural move infuriated the BJP leadership, leading to their decision to boycott the evening BAC meeting. The fact that the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar unsuccessfully to reverse this situation highlights the severity of the political miscalculation.
High-Level Political Meetings
Following Dhankhar’s resignation, intense political consultations have taken place across Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and Kiren Rijiju met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid speculation about the impeachment notice’s validity.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh also participated in marathon meetings with Birla, where pending impeachment notices were a key topic of discussion. Government officials have indicated their intention to proceed with the impeachment process through a committee of jurists, though they prefer to advance the Lok Sabha notice rather than the opposition-sponsored Rajya Sabha version.
Election Commission Prepares for Succession
The Election Commission has already begun preparations for the next vice-presidential election, constituting the 782-member electoral college comprising parliamentarians from both houses. The National Democratic Alliance holds an advantage with 426 members compared to the INDIA bloc’s 312 members.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has announced that INDIA alliance constituents will meet collectively to decide their strategy for the upcoming election and candidate selection.
Constitutional and Health Considerations
In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar cited health grounds as the primary reason for his departure, stating his need “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” However, the timing of when the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar and the subsequent political developments suggest more complex underlying factors.
The resignation was formalized through a gazette notification on the same day as Prime Minister Modi’s notably brief message, which came 15 hours after Dhankhar’s announcement. The constitutional requirement mandates that a new election be held “as soon as possible” after the vacancy occurs.
Unprecedented Political Crisis
The events surrounding why the Centre reached out VP Dhankhar represent an unprecedented crisis in India’s constitutional framework. Never before has a Vice President resigned under such circumstances, making this situation historically significant for India’s parliamentary democracy and executive-legislative relations.
