While a silent behind-the-scenes tussle between Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and the BJP high command had been brewing for months, both sides were caught off guard by the speed at which matters blew up. Dhankhar believed he was untouchable during his five-year term as VP and was instigated by certain Congress leaders to fight for upholding the dignity of his constitutional post. The egotistical Dhankhar believed he was constantly undermined by the government, although in the official protocol ranking, he even preceded the Prime Minister. It rankled him that he was not permitted even a one-on-one meeting with his US counterpart J D Vance during the latter’s India visit in April. Dhankhar also resented Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s complete domination of Parliament, apparently not permitting Dhankhar, as Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, to adopt a different course from the Lok Sabha. Worst of all, he was indiscreet in meeting Opposition members, including AAP leaders, to voice his grievances. 

Matters came to a head this week when Dhankhar, despite reportedly being asked by ministers Kiren Rijiju and J P Nadda to not undercut the Lok Sabha motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma, announced that he had........

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