Which vice presidents in the past have left the post before their tenure like Jagdeep Dhankhar?

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns abruptly, citing health reasons. Opposition questions timing ahead of Bihar polls. Only third VP to quit early after Krishna Kant and BD Jatti.

New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns due to health reasons, becoming the third such vice president in history. Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post, citing health reasons.

He took this decision under Article 67(a) of the Constitution. In his resignation sent to President Draupadi Murmu on Monday, he wrote that now he wants to give priority to his health. He clarified in his letter that his resignation should be considered effective immediately.

Dhankhar was sworn in as the 14th Vice President of India on 11 August 2022, and his term was scheduled to last until the year 2027. But by leaving the post before the scheduled time, he has become the third vice president who has resigned before the completion of the term.

His unexpected decision has intensified discussions in political circles, and opposition parties are not ready to accept it as a normal resignation.

Which vice presidents have left the post before their tenure?

There have been only two such instances in history so far when the vice president has left the post before the end of his term or the post has become vacant.

For the first time, in the year 1997, Vice President Krishna Kant took over the post. He took oath as vice president on 21 August 1997, but on 27 July 2002, he died during his tenure, leaving the post of vice president vacant.

For the second time, in 1974, Vice President B.D. Jatti resigned from the post before the completion of his term, as he was entrusted with the responsibility of interim president. Earlier, Varahagiri Venkat Giri also resigned from the post of vice president to contest the presidential election. However, in both these cases, there were constitutional responsibilities behind the resignation.

Why did Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation become a topic of discussion?

Dhankhar's resignation is not being limited to health reasons only. He recently conducted the Parliament session smoothly and was working actively. Despite this, his decision is being considered sudden and unexpected. Opposition leaders say that there may also be political reasons behind the resignation. It is also being said that, keeping in mind the upcoming Bihar elections, BJP can make a strategic change.

Now the question arises: who will be the next vice president in place of Dhankhar? All eyes are on which leader the NDA government trusts this time. Elections will be held within the constitutional time limit for the new appointment, and the country's political eyes will be fixed on this process.