Following the sudden and unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, speculation is rife over his possible successor, with several names, including leaders from the BJP and NDA alliance partners, doing the rounds.
Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening, citing health reasons. In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote: “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”
As per the Constitution, the election for the Vice President’s post after the resignation of the sitting one must be held “as soon as possible”.
Following Dhankhar’s resignation on the day the month-long Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced, the BJP-led NDA government is expected to announce its candidate for the vice president’s post soon.
With assembly elections in Bihar just a few months away, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh, a Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MP, is being widely speculated as the NDA’s likely nominee.
The JD-U, a key NDA ally at both the Centre and in Bihar, wants to contest the upcoming state assembly elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.
However, with Kumar’s health reportedly on the decline, the BJP may look to persuade him to allow the elections to be fought under a BJP face and, in exchange, offer the vice president’s post to the JD(U).
Another name doing the rounds is that of senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje.
The former Rajasthan Chief Minister is said to be upset with the party leadership after being overlooked for the CM post last year.
Given her political influence in Rajasthan, the BJP may consider the vice president’s office as a dignified farewell gesture to one of its tallest leaders in the state.
The party may also consider appointing a state governor, following the precedent of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who served as the governor of West Bengal before becoming vice president.
A senior Union Minister with extensive parliamentary experience could be chosen on the lines of M Venkaiah Naidu, who held the post of a Union Minister before becoming the Vice President.