To embarrass govt, Cong demands Dhankhar farewell

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday directly asked BJP and the Modi govt to hold a farewell for Jagdeep Dhankhar, in a move that appeared to be the opposition party's bid to embarrass the governing camp which has given a curt parting to the VP after a sudden breakup in relationship.

In a closed-door meeting of the business advisory committee of RS, senior Congress neta Jairam Ramesh conveyed to BJP stalwarts, which included key ministers and leader of the House J P Nadda, that Dhankhar should be given a send-off befitting of the high constitutional position he occupied. The context of his demand was the scheduled farewell on Thursday for RS MPs whose term is ending soon.

Ramesh told TOI, "There is going to be a farewell to the retiring members tomorrow in RS. So, I suggested why not have a farewell for the retired chairman also." According to him, BJP netas kept mum.

The appeal for farewell appeared more of a taunt as BJP and Dhankhar have had a bitter falling out amid indications that the VP resigned after earning the displeasure of the Modi govt for seeking to supersede the removal notice that the govt sponsored in Lok Sabha against Justice Yashwant Varma by entertaining a parallel one by the opposition in RS. His suggestion to suddenly move on the removal notice pending against Justice Shekhar Yadav of Allahabad HC for "hate speech" also did not go down well with the BJP brass. Post-resignation, there has been no praise or polite words that are customary for the high officials who leave their positions.

Ramesh said, "A farewell is the minimum courtesy we owe to the chairman who was also the Vice President of India. It is especially so for the govt which appointed him."

Meanwhile, CPM MP John Brittas demanded that the govt clarify the circumstances surrounding Dhankhar's resignation to "protect the dignity of the second-highest constitutional office and address growing speculation". In a post on X, he also said it would be befitting for Dhankhar to "break his silence to uphold the dignity of the office" if the govt "continues to evade questions".