In a surprise move, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening. He said he was stepping down due to health issues.

Dhankhar  submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu. He wrote that he was resigning with immediate effect as per Article 67(a) of the Constitution. “To focus on my health and follow medical advice, I resign as Vice President,” he stated.

He took charge in August 2022 and had three more years left in his term. He also served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

His resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament. It follows his recent angioplasty at AIIMS, Delhi.

During his time as Vice President, Dhankhar had several face-offs with the Opposition. At one point, they even tried to bring an impeachment motion against him. It Jagdeep Dhankhar is the third Vice President in India’s history to resign while in office, after V V Giri and R Venkataraman.

A new Vice President will now have to be elected soon.