Jagdeep Dhankhar makes first public appearance at VP’s swearing-in since July 21 resignation

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday made his first public appearance since resigning from office on July 21, attending the swearing-in ceremony of CP Radhakrishnan as the 15th Vice President of India held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office and secrecy to Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance’s nominee.

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Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was noticeably absent from the ceremony, sparking curiosity given his previous comments on Dhankhar’s resignation.

Gandhi had questioned the circumstances surrounding Dhankhar’s sudden departure from office, hinting at a “big story” behind his resignation.

Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21 citing health reasons came as a surprise to many, with speculation surrounding the cause behind his decision.

While official statements cited health reasons, Opposition leaders suggested that political differences with the ruling party may have played a role.

CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance nominee, was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India, succeeding Dhankhar.

The ceremony was attended by several high-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP President JP Nadda. Former Vice Presidents Hamid Ansari and Venkaiah Naidu also attended the event.

Since his resignation, Dhankhar has kept a low profile, sparking rumors about his whereabouts and well-being. He reportedly moved out of his official bungalow and into a farmhouse in South Delhi’s Chattarpur area. Gandhi’s comments on Dhankhar’s absence have added fuel to the speculation surrounding the former Vice President’s life after resignation.