From Legal Expertise To Political Strife: Jagdeep Dhankar's Tumultuous Career

The parties have long accused the Rajya Sabha chairman of partisanship, and have been considering submitting a notice to introduce an impeachment resolution since the previous parliamentary session. Dhankar has also been involved in issues with some of the members of the opposition like Sanjay Singh and Jaya Bachchan. His stint as the governor of West Bengal was marked by constant spates with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers. 

In a career marred with conflicts with the opposition parties, how did Dhankar, a lawyer by profession and from a small village named Kithana in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu, become governor of West Bengal and was the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) choice for vice-president? Here’s an explainer.

Climbing The Political Ladder 

Dhankar, 73, began his professional journey as an advocate in 1979 at the Bar Council of Rajasthan. He practised in the Supreme Court from 1990 and appeared in several high courts across India. Venturing into politics in 1989, Dhankar was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan as a member of the Janata Dal. In 1990, he became a Union Minister, serving as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar ministry. Between 1993 and 1998, Dhankar also served as a member of the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, representing the Kishangarh constituency. Since then, he faced failure in politics and ultimately, under the NDA alliance, he became the governor of West Bengal and later the vice-president of the country.

Tussle With Mamata Banerjee 

During his tenure as the governor of West Bengal from July 2019 to July 2022, Dhankar was involved in confrontations on innumerable issues with Banerjee. Dhankar was among those who would give media bytes and appear for interviews. He was also very active on Twitter and frequently shared his views, mostly against the West Bengal establishment that put him in confrontation with the West Bengal government. This was seen just three months after he assumed office when he used to post his critique of the TMC government on various issues. This flared up a bit when Banerjee had in a letter to Dhankhar in December 2019 said: “I am really sorry to see your frequent tweets and press briefings criticising the state government and also involving the senior officers of the state. You would no doubt appreciate that the prime focus of the state administration at present is to maintain a peaceful situation as against what is going on throughout the country,” adding that it was his “constitutional obligation to support the state government”.

Vocal On Various Issues 

Dhankar is known for his vocal thoughts on issues relating to nationalism and the image of India. In September 2024, after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made remarks on minorities in India during his tour in US, Dhankar, without naming him said that the comments were condemnable and hurt the sentiments of those who lost their lives for freedom. 

“Imagine, ultimate sacrifices have been given by how many in getting this freedom, in protecting this freedom, in protecting the nation. Our brothers and sisters are also involved in combat positions. Mothers have lost their sons, and wives have lost their husbands. We can't ridicule our nationalism. I am pained and disturbed that some people in position have just no idea of Bharat,” he said in a programme. 

In December 2024, Dhankar, on the occasion of the 138th birth anniversary of Raja Mahendra Pratap in Delhi said that India’s history has been manipulated and doctored. He said: “What a travesty of justice, what a tragedy. We are in the 75th year of our Independence. We have failed, miserably failed, to recognise such heroic feats of this great man. Our history has not given him the place which he deserves. If you look at the foundations of our Independence, we have been taught very differently. Foundations of our Independence are built upon supreme sacrifices of people like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh and other unsung heroes or not-so-well-sung heroes.”

Issues In Parliament 

Not just now, but Dhankar has had several controversial moments in Parliament. In July 2024, Saket Gokhale, a member of the Rajya Sabha from the TMC, highlighted Dhankar’s praise towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organisation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said that for the last 25 years, he has been an 'Eklavya' of the RSS. Dhankar then went on to shower praise on the RSS and said that his only regret was that he didn't join the RSS earlier, Gokhale added. “Is it fair for the VP of India to be openly praising the RSS while sitting in a chair where he is expected to be neutral?” Gokhale said in a post on social media platform X. 

In August 2024, Dhankar and veteran actress and Rajya Sabha member from the SP, Jaya Bachchan went head-on-head in a verbal spat. This started when Bachchan pointed out that Dhankhar’s tone was rude. In response, Dhankar said, “I don't want a schooling! You may be a celebrity (but) you have to understand the decorum.” 

And the latest episode is the impeachment move by the opposition parties. The matter flared on December 9 when the Rajya Sabha was rocked by chaos as BJP MPs alleged that top Congress leaders had ties with Hungarian-American billionaire investor George Soros, urging a discussion on the matter citing national security concerns. Despite Dhankar rejecting all notices under Rule 267, several BJP and allied MPs continued to demand an immediate debate. 

Congress MPs, including the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Pramod Tiwari, and Jairam Ramesh, condemned the Chairman for permitting BJP members to raise the issue despite the rejection of their notices.