Why Did the VP’s Impeachment Notice Acceptance Trigger a Government Backlash?

The unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stunned political circles. While the government remained tight-lipped, sources reveal the move was linked to a contentious impeachment drive against Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma. Here’s what unfolded:

Opposition’s Gambit: Two weeks ago, Opposition parties launched a signature campaign to impeach Justice Varma. By Sunday, they secured 50+ Rajya Sabha signatures—the minimum required to initiate proceedings.
Government’s Countermove: The ruling party had already gathered 145 Lok Sabha signatures (exceeding the 100-signature threshold) for the same motion, even securing Opposition support. They aimed for a “consensus-driven” impeachment to avoid partisan labels.
The Flashpoint: Dhankhar’s acceptance of the Opposition’s motion in the Rajya Sabha reportedly angered the government. Officials viewed it as undermining their authority, triggering a scramble to rally NDA MPs for damage control.

Constitutional Insights
VP’s Role: As Rajya Sabha Chairman (Article 64), the Vice President’s neutrality is paramount. His acceptance of the notice highlighted the delicate balance between parliamentary duty and political pressure.
Resignation Fallout: Dhankhar’s exit mid-session created a constitutional vacuum. Without a VP, the Rajya Sabha cannot elect a temporary Chairman, disrupting critical legislative work.
Impeachment Nuances: The episode exposed gaps in India’s judge-removal process, especially the blurred line between “submitting” and “admitting” an impeachment motion.

Key Constitutional Provisions
Article 65: The VP acts as President during vacancies.
Article 66: VP elections involve only Parliament members (unlike the President’s electoral college).
Removal Process: A VP can be ousted via Rajya Sabha resolution (absolute majority) and Lok Sabha approval—no grounds needed.


Q&As for Exam Readiness
Q1: Who administers the oath to the Vice President of India?
A: The President of India.
Q2: Can the Vice President be removed without impeachment?
A: Yes. Unlike judges, the VP can be removed via a simple parliamentary resolution (Rajya Sabha majority + Lok Sabha concurrence), requiring no specific charges.
Q3: What happens if the VP resigns during a Rajya Sabha session?
A: The House faces a procedural crisis. Without a VP (or temporary Chairman), it cannot conduct business until a new VP is elected.
Q4: How does the electoral college for VP differ from that of the President?
A: The VP is elected only by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members. The President’s electoral college includes state legislators and both parliamentary houses.
Q5: Compare the Indian and US Vice Presidents.
A: The US VP is an executive-branch official with tie-breaking Senate votes. The Indian VP is a constitutional custodian with no executive powers, serving as Rajya Sabha Chair.


Why This Matters for Exams
This topic is crucial for UPSC, PSC, SSC, and KAS exams because:
Polity & Governance: Tests understanding of constitutional roles (Articles 63–71), parliamentary procedures, and checks on judicial misconduct.
Current Affairs Relevance: Highlights real-world tensions between legislature, executive, and judiciary—frequent fodder for GS II (Mains) and interview questions.
Analytical Edge: The Dhankhar case underscores gaps in India’s impeachment mechanisms and presiding officers’ neutrality—key themes for essay papers.
Comparative Analysis: Contrasting Indian and US VP roles helps tackle international polity questions.
Pro Tip: Focus on constitutional articles, resignation protocols, and impeachment workflows. These are high-yield areas for both prelims (MCQs) and mains (case studies).