The sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has led to a rapid closure of his secretariat, with officers swiftly repatriated to their parent cadres, reflecting the speed and sensitivity surrounding his exit. Three days after Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down, the newly constructed Vice President’s enclave witnessed officers vacating their offices, handing over keys, and preparing to leave, while the enclave itself remained unlocked, despite rumours suggesting otherwise.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned citing health reasons after presiding over the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, was the first occupant of the palatial VP enclave. According to officials, the secretariat within the enclave has a separate wing, and officers have been leaving systematically, with the keys being handed over to under-secretaries. “Hardly a few government officers are remaining, and they too are waiting for orders to return to their parent cadre,” an official said on the condition of anonymity.
Officers Return to Parent Cadre
The closure of the VP secretariat and the officers’ return is a procedural norm, with officials typically given 15 days to wind up their work. Jagdeep Dhankhar’s secretary, officer on special duty, and principal private secretary, all IAS officers, have already vacated their offices. “It is nothing unusual as their appointment at the VP office was co-terminus with Jagdeep Dhankhar’s tenure,” a government functionary explained, noting that while some staff remain, they too will depart shortly.
As per standard entitlements, former vice presidents are allowed to retain five personal staff members, whose salaries are covered by the government, and are provided a Type VIII bungalow or its equivalent anywhere in India. Jagdeep Dhankhar, who submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday evening, has a month to clear his belongings and vacate the enclave, with packing already underway.
Strained Ties and Speculation
While the swift repatriation of officers aligns with standard protocol, it has fuelled speculation, especially in light of Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation. Reports suggest that the relationship between Jagdeep Dhankhar and the government had grown strained, notably after the Rajya Sabha under his chairmanship admitted an Opposition-sponsored notice for the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, while a similar notice was being moved in the Lok Sabha.
Following his resignation, Jagdeep Dhankhar has not reportedly granted appointments to political leaders who wished to meet him, including Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP veteran Sharad Pawar, and some Aam Aadmi Party leaders. This development has further added to the intrigue surrounding his departure from office.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, was sworn in as the Vice President on August 11, 2022, succeeding M Venkaiah Naidu, and served for nearly two years before stepping down. In his resignation letter to President Murmu, he cited the need to prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice as his reasons for resigning, effective immediately under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
