In a move no one saw coming, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on Monday evening—two years before his term was set to end. The reason he gave was brief and personal: health concerns. But there are not many takers of the formal story being shared by Dhankar, opposition has already raised several doubts claiming ‘there is more to it than what meets the eye’.

What did Dhankar say about his resignation?

Dhankhar, 74, addressed his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, citing the need to prioritise his health and follow medical advice. His resignation was effective immediately, meaning he won’t be presiding over the Rajya Sabha when it reconvenes.

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Only hours earlier, the Vice President’s Office had announced an upcoming official visit to Jaipur. And just a few days ago, Dhankhar had joked at an event in Delhi that he would retire “at the right time—August 2027—unless there was divine intervention.” No one thought the ‘intervention’ would come so soon.

So what changed?

Sources tell Indian Express that Dhankhar had an unplanned meeting with President Murmu on Monday before handing in his resignation. Neither office issued any statement about what was discussed, adding to the intrigue.

But one of the political theories emerging day after the shocking resignation move is about what happened on the first day of Parliament.

As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar made a formal announcement that a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma had been submitted by Opposition MPs. This move reportedly upset the government. A senior BJP leader told Indian Express that it left the party, ‘much embarrassed’.

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Senior BJP leaders told Indian Express, the government was planning its own strategy in the Lok Sabha and was blindsided by Dhankhar’s statement. What made it worse, they say, is that the motion in the Rajya Sabha had only Opposition signatures—and yet Dhankhar chose to act on it without consulting the government.

This wasn’t the only moment of friction. The ruling party is already under pressure over another motion from the Opposition seeking the removal of Justice Shekhar Yadav.

Dhankar’s turbulent tenure under scanner

Some BJP insiders say this wasn’t a one-off. Over the past year, Dhankhar has publicly criticised the judiciary on multiple occasions—including the Supreme Court’s ruling that set deadlines for the President and Governors to act on state legislation. He also said judicial “independence” shouldn’t be used as an excuse to avoid scrutiny.