The unceremonious exit of Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Honourable Vice-President of India will fool no one, despite attempts to explain his departure as being due to “health issues.”
The incident once again underscores the dominance political parties and the government hold over constitutional posts.
In reality, beyond the embellishments often attached to their positions in the media and public discourse, those who occupy such posts are little more than agents of the government, entirely dependent on it for their political survival.
Speculation suggests that Dhankhar’s resignation was prompted by his tendency to exercise his own authority rather than simply following the will of those who placed him in office. Since his exit, there has been a near blanket ban on reporting related to the former Vice-President.
The next Vice-President will be elected on September 9. The NDA has fielded C. P. Radhakrishnan, who will face former Chief Justice Sudershan Reddy, the INDIA alliance candidate.
Given the NDA’s strength in Parliament, Radhakrishnan is widely expected to win barring any unforeseen developments.
Yet, regardless of whether it is Radhakrishnan or Sudershan Reddy who assumes office, one dictum must be remembered: they are not there to exercise their personal free will, but to carry out the will of those who put them there.
