Mumbai, March 5 Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar was asked to resign due to health reasons after the BJP-led government learned that he was exchanging "controversial" ideas with opposition leaders, the Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed on Thursday.
In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party said that Dhankar, as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, would often deliver sermons praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Dhankar believed he would be holding a constitutional position, it said.
However, suddenly, the government "issued orders, and Dhankar had to permanently stay at home," the editorial said.
Dhankar resigned as Vice President on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons and medical advice. His sudden departure led to speculation and prompted the Opposition to allege that he had quit under pressure from the government.
The editorial said that on the day Dhankar tendered his resignation, he was in good health. It further claimed that Dhankar never said he would be quitting because he was unwell.
"The former Vice President has brought the truth to light. But he should shed light on what transpired behind the scenes in his Parliament office," the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) said.
It further said, "Dhankar had established a good relationship with political parties opposed to the government, and he would exchange controversial ideas in his private meetings with them."
The editorial said that the government obtained information about these meetings.
"It was then decided (by the government) that the Vice President was not well and needed treatment and rest. Accordingly, a medical certificate was prepared and attached to the resignation letter," the Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed.
