Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot, on Monday, said that the uncertainty of both the government and ex-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar regarding his resignation has caused widespread worry. Gehlot's question was based on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent comment that the resignation was for 'health reasons'. He labelled it "unprecedented" for a person in such a lofty constitutional office to resign suddenly "without explanation."
Gehlot said that a person holding the post of Vice President was working until the evening, holding meetings, and then "by 8 pm he resigned and completely disappeared from the scene." He noted that nobody knew if Dhankhar was at the Vice President's residence and that he was not meeting with anyone. Gehlot alleged that while ministers usually explain their reasons for resignation in Parliament, no such clarification had come in this case. "Neither the vice president nor the government has given any explanation. Now they are only trying to cover up," he said.
Referring to Shah's "health reasons" statement, Gehlot questioned whether any senior leader had actually checked on the former Vice President's condition. "Amit Shah says it was for health reasons. But did you go to meet him? Did you send a minister? The prime minister did not go, the home minister did not go, not even a junior minister. Nobody inquired about his health. So why are you misleading the people of this country? The whole nation is asking how the (former) vice president suddenly disappeared," Gehlot said.
He said the government's explanation was "an attempt to divert attention" from the questions being asked and that the public would not be misled. He added that he is particularly worried since Dhankhar hails from Rajasthan. "The whole state is worried about him," he said. "The real question is 'Where is Dhankhar Sahib? When will you let the people see him?"
Gehlot revealed that he had personally tried to call Dhankhar two or three times. "Not just me, several leaders who have known him well have tried reaching out. I heard Kapil Sibal recently saying that he too had made several calls, since they were close friends, but there has been no response. Shouldn't this be a matter of concern for the nation?" he asked.
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