- By Raju Kumar
- Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:54 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Vice President Race: Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, gave a huge shocker by announcing his resignation on the first day of the Monsoon Session on Monday. The move sparked a hunt for his successor. According to the media reports, Harivansh Singh, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and a Janata Dal (United) MP, is leading in the race. His rich experience in the Parliament affairs and hailing from poll-bound Bihar make him the best choice for the post. However, the government remain mum on the name of Dhankhar's replacement.
What The Constitution Says On Vice President Poll
According to Clause 2 of Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice President occurring due to his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise will be held "as soon as possible" after it becomes vacant. The person elected to fill the vacancy will be entitled to hold office "for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office".
The Constitution is silent on who performs the duties of the vice president in case of his death or resignation before the expiry of his term, or when the Vice President acts as the President of India. The VP is the second highest constitutional office in the country. He serves for a five-year term, but can continue to be in office, irrespective of the expiry of the term, until the successor assumes office.
The only provision in the Constitution is with regard to the vice president's function as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, which is performed, during the period of such vacancy, by the deputy chairperson or any other member of the Rajya Sabha authorised by the President of India.
The vice president may vacate his office by submitting his resignation to the President. The resignation becomes effective from the day it is accepted. The Vice President is the ex-officio chairperson (holding the office of the Rajya Sabha chairperson by virtue of being the vice president) of the Rajya Sabha and does not hold any other office of profit.
(With PTI inputs)