The opposition Congress upped its ante against Prime Minister Narender Modi over what it has been trying to project as 'forced resignation' of Vice President VP Jagdeep Dhankar, contending that PM could have been more gracious on this while playing up latter's 'non post' on X.
Earlier the party claimed the reasons behind Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as the vice president are "far deeper" than the health issues cited by him, and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to this development has only added to the mystery of the abrupt exit.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, "PM's non-post on X regarding Shri Jagdeep Dhankar's forced resignation has only added to the mystery of his abrupt exit. Surely the PM could have been a bit more gracious -- he is, after all, the supreme master of hypocrisy." "The kisanputra is being denied even a dignified farewell," he said in a post on X.
Pertinently, Prime Minister Modi wished Dhankhar good health and said he got many opportunities to serve the country in various capacities.
He said on X, "Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health." Earlier, Ramesh raised questions over the absence of Union ministers J P Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from the second Business Advisory Committee on Monday, saying "something very serious" happened between 1 pm and 4.30 pm on Monday to account for their deliberate absence from the second BAC.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha said Dhankhar's resignation was quite unexpected."While presiding over Rajya Sabha yesterday he was his good jolly self!! Did the way he proactively handled the 2 impeachment motions (Justice Yadav & Verma) yesterday the last straw!!" he said on X.Later, speaking with reporters, Tankha said, "It's very unexpected. It shouldn't have happened the way it has happened. There is an issue because he is healthy. He was in a jovial mood. However, something happened in the afternoon. Ministers didn't appear for his meeting. He might have felt insulted." Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said the government has to clarify why the vice president resigned.
Ramesh also pointed out that Dhankhar chaired the BAC of the Rajya Sabha at 12.30 pm on Monday."Now in a truly unprecedented move, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned. He has given health reasons for doing so. Those should be respected. But it is also a fact that there are far deeper reasons for his resignation," Ramesh claimed.
"The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable. I was with him alongside a number of other MPs till around 5 PM today and had spoken to him over the phone at 7:30 PM," Ramesh said in a post on X on Monday night.Dhankhar, 74, assumed office in August 2022, and his tenure was till 2027.
Follow us
