Deep Dive into Dhankhar's Resignation: Is India's Political Mood Shifting?
The resignation of India's Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing health reasons, has sparked a nationwide debate. While the official statement points to health, many political analysts and the general public see deeper implications behind this move. This resignation cannot be viewed as just a routine event; it might signify broader shifts and disgruntlement within Indian politics.
My Theory Behind Dhankhar's Resignation
My personal opinion is that Mr. Dhankhar's resignation isn't solely due to health reasons. Instead, certain events may have compelled him to take this step.
Continuous Confrontation with the Opposition and Personal Pride: Mr. Dhankhar's tenure as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was marked by frequent sharp exchanges with the opposition. He was often accused of partiality, and there was even talk of impeachment against him. According to an old saying from my Jat community, "A broken cot and a bowing Jat are of no use to anyone." It seems Mr. Dhankhar held strong opinions and stuck to them. While animosity with the opposition wasn't new, an incident likely occurred that hurt his pride.
Nadda's Intervention and Disrespect for Authority: Recently, an incident took place where BJP President J.P. Nadda challenged the Vice President's authority in the Rajya Sabha by stating, "It will not go on record." This was a direct undermining of the Chairman's authority. Mr. Dhankhar is known for his sensitivity, and perhaps this was the "last straw" that prompted him to resign. He might have felt that if his own party was diminishing his authority, there was no point in continuing in the position. This incident suggests that his "spirit" was deeply affected.
A "Use and Throw" System?: It's rare for the BJP to "remove" someone outright. They usually allow individuals to resign voluntarily or be sidelined. In this context, Mr. Dhankhar's resignation reinforces the notion of whether the BJP leadership views its key functionaries under a "use and throw" policy. A similar situation has been observed with other leaders like Smriti Irani, who were once very prominent but now appear less active. This could serve as a lesson for those who work for the party with full dedication.
Is the Nation's Mood Changing?
Incidents like Dhankhar's resignation may indicate broader shifts in the current landscape of Indian politics.
BJP's Luster Fading: It's not that the opposition is becoming very strong or will seize power in 2029, but the BJP's "shine" or "luster" seems to be gradually diminishing. Prime Minister Modi's "Teflon coating" no longer appears as effective. Voices of discontent are emerging within the party, such as Nishikant Dubey's statement that without Modi, the BJP wouldn't even get 150 seats. Mohan Bhagwat's statement about stepping down at 75 (though he himself turns 75 on September 11, and Modi on the 17th) also hints at internal introspection.
Public "Boredom" and "Fatigue": There's a sense of "boredom" and "fatigue" among ordinary Indian citizens. Everyday problems like roads, traffic, pollution, unemployment, and inflation persist. GST slabs (like 18% on consultations or 28% on cement) are burdening the common person's pocket. The drumbeat of being a "Vishwaguru" (world leader) isn't resonating as strongly, and the government's silence on several significant events (like the India-Pakistan aerial skirmish or Operation Sandoor) is under scrutiny. Foreign tours also don't seem to yield clear diplomatic benefits for the public.
Search for an Alternative and Lack of Leadership: Disillusionment and hopelessness are growing among the public. Currently, no leader appears capable of igniting a new ray of hope. While there was some hope for leaders like Nitin Gadkari, contradictory statements and ground realities are now emerging. There's no real expectation of concrete ideas or change from opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, as their statements often appear "hypocritical" (e.g., silence on Kannada in Karnataka and Marathi in Maharashtra). The country is still searching for a strong leader who can provide clear direction.
Who Should Be the Next Vice President?
In my opinion, there are two names that could be suitable for the Vice President's post, and this would also be a positive step for the BJP:
Nirmala Sitharaman: Making her Vice President would also give the country a new Finance Minister. This would be seen as a "promotion" rather than a "removal" by the BJP. If Ms. Sitharaman were also made BJP President, it would be another positive step, as the BJP has not had a woman president in recent years. This would be a remarkable confluence of a woman president for the world's largest party and potentially a woman president (if she becomes one in the future).
J.P. Nadda: If BJP President J.P. Nadda is sent to the Vice President's post, it would be considered a promotion for him. This could also pave the way for new leadership within the party.
Conclusion
Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation is a significant event that indicates growing unease and a desire for change in Indian politics. It's not merely a case of vacating a position; it reflects the dynamics within the BJP, its relations with the opposition, and the changing mood of the general public. It will be interesting to see how the BJP handles this situation and whether this event leads to larger political shifts in the future.
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