Jagdeep Dhankar Resigns As Vice President: When & How Will India Elect Its Next V-P?

New Delhi: As the Monsoon Session 2025 got underway in both Houses of Parliament on Monday morning (July 21), news of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s resignation took everyone by surprise in the evening, creating a sudden vacancy in one of the country's highest constitutional positions.

Dhankar, who also served as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, stepped down from the position mid-way through his five-year term, leaving Parliament and the ruling establishment with the urgent task of electing his successor.

Who will be the next Vice President and how will they be elected? And who will hold the position temporarily? The Free Press Journal explains:

Jagdeep Dhankar's resignation letter

Deputy V-P Steps In as Acting Rajya Sabha Chair

Harivansh Narayan Singh

With the Vice President's post now vacant, the responsibility of presiding over proceedings in the Upper House during the ongoing Monsoon Session falls on Harivansh Narayan Singh. Currently serving as Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh is constitutionally empowered to take over as the acting Chairperson under Article 91 of the Constitution.

As a senior leader from the Janata Dal (United), Harivansh has held the deputy position since 2020. Until a new Vice President is elected, he will continue to guide the House through the politically charged session.

India Needs to Choose New V-P By September 19

As per the Vice-President (Election) Rules of 1974 and Articles 63 to 71 of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant post must be conducted within 60 days, making September 19, 2025 the deadline for the poll. The Election Commission (EC) will soon announce teh date.

But, How Is a Vice President Elected?

The Vice President is elected through a secret ballot by an electoral college made up of 788 Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha (588 members) and the Rajya Sabha (245 members). The system used is proportional representation by the means of a single transferable vote.

Proportional Representation with Single Transferable Vote (STV) lets voters rank candidates by preference, ensuring fair seat allocation based on vote share. If a voter's top choice is elected or eliminated, the vote transfers to the next preferred candidate. This system, used in India’s presidential election, ensures every vote counts and supports broader representation.

With the BJP-led NDA having a numerical edge in both Houses, the alliance is well-positioned to install its candidate without much resistance, though the Opposition is likely to put up a fight.

Those who do bootlicking of Narendra Modi should understand this…

Jagdeep Dhankar — the man who was always seen with folded hand with heads down in front of Modi was not even allowed to complete his tenure as VP.

You can never please a megalomaniac..pic.twitter.com/zwCP25Z5QD

— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) July 21, 2025

Who Will Succeed Dhankar?

Speculations about potential candidates to fill the position are already swirling. According to reports, sources within the BJP suggest the party is likely to pick a "non-controversial and solid" nominee, possibly a seasoned organisational leader, a sitting Union Minister or a former Governor. Dhankar too, served as the Governor of West Bengal before becoming the V-P in 2022.

According to reports, Harivansh is one of the names doing the rounds currently; however, no official confirmation has been made as of now. Meanwhile, the BJP is also in the process of selecting a new National President to replace JP Nadda. Some party members have reportedly suggested that the leadership shake-up may unfold after August 15.

Who Is Eligible to Be a V-P?

To be eligible for Vice President, a candidate must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a Rajya Sabha member. They cannot hold any office of profit under the Centre or states, barring exceptions like the President, Governor, or a Minister.

Dhankar's Surprise Exit

Dhankar's resignation comes amid growing tensions in the Rajya Sabha, where his tenure has been marked by frequent run-ins with the Opposition members. The decision comes after his submission of an opposition-backed motion for the removal of Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma, a move which reportedly caught teh government off guard.