Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation on 21 July, citing health concerns, has triggered a decisive move from the ruling National Democratic Alliance. With a vacancy in the Rajya Sabha chairmanship and the second-highest office in the land, the alliance is now actively considering a candidate from the backward or extremely backward communities—a calculated step ahead of looming electoral battles.
The alliance appears to favour Ram Nath Thakur, the 74‑year‑old Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as a front‑runner. Thakur, son of former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, belongs to the Nai community classified among the ati‑pichhara groups. His elevation would be a marked signal of caste inclusion and political outreach, reflecting shifting demographics and the alliance’s electoral ambitions.
Dhankhar, 74, became only the third vice‑president to resign mid‑term when he stepped down under Article 67. In his letter to President Murmu, he referred only to health advice and his wish to “prioritise health care,” without offering further detail. Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu responded publicly with warm wishes for his recovery, with Modi stressing appreciation for Dhankhar’s service.
Yet whispers have circulated around political circles that Dhankhar’s departure was not purely a matter of health. His acceptance of an Opposition‑led motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, over alleged cash seizures, reportedly irked the government leadership. Rajya Sabha sources say ministers—including Nadda and Rijiju—expressed disapproval over procedural autonomy exercised by Dhankhar.
Suspicion mounted when Dhankhar chaired the Business Advisory Committee earlier that day. Notably, Nadda and Rijiju were absent, and reports suggest Dhankhar was displeased by what he may have perceived as a deliberate slight. Opposition leaders seized on the timeline, with Jairam Ramesh of the Congress calling it “very serious” that senior ministers missed the 4.30 pm meeting without notice. The Congress has demanded clarification, dismissing the official health rationale as inadequate.
With the vice‑presidential election slated to conclude within 32 days per Article 68, the NDA has convened a closed-door consultation among MPs. Several sources speaking on condition of anonymity indicate a consensus is emerging around a backward‑class candidate from Bihar or West Bengal.
Thakur’s prominence is not accidental. A seasoned politician from Samastipur, he has been a Union minister in Narendra Modi’s cabinet and holds sway among extremely backward sections in Bihar. His credentials are bolstered by his lineage—his father Karpoori Thakur, a celebrated socialist leader, was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna earlier this year.
Contenders are not limited to Thakur. BJP president J. P. Nadda has also been mooted, though choosing him would necessitate a ministerial reshuffle, perhaps reallocating his health portfolio. Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, ex‑Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh are part of the speculative field. Nitish Kumar, the longstanding chief minister of Bihar, has been mentioned—though insiders in his party downplay the likelihood.
Numbers support the alliance’s certainty. With 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA’s combined tally of 422 comfortably exceeds the 394‑vote threshold needed for victory in a full turnout scenario. Party strategists emphasise the importance of projecting unity and neutrality in the selection, ensuring the nominee aligns with evolving political priorities.
Most leaders have refrained from public comment, opting instead for private discussions. One senior figure was quoted saying, “Jo bhi hoga … from backward classes,” signalling a deliberate tilt towards inclusivity.
Despite speculation, a final announcement is not expected before the week of 26 July, following the conclusion of key Monsoon Session agendas. The selection process will proceed under the watchful guidance of the Election Commission, which must notify the vacancy officially before the electoral timeframe begins.
Political analysts suggest that the choice of a backward‑class nominee may serve dual purposes: addressing social justice imperatives and shoring up electoral support in critical states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, where caste calculations remain decisive. Observers note the symbolic resonance of elevating a leader from the ati‑pichhara community to the country’s second-highest constitutional office.
As Parliament reconvenes amid this leadership realignment, the broader question hinges on whether the vice‑presidential election concludes quietly, reinforcing alliance cohesion, or sparks debate that echoes Dhankhar’s opaque exit. The alliance’s final decision will signal how it balances representational equity with political continuity at a crucial juncture.
Parliament Plunged into Chaos as Lok Sabha Adjourned Again 