Days after his unexpected resignation, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar made his first public appearance at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Vice President CP Radhakrishnan at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event saw the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and top leaders from across party lines.

Jagdeep Dhankhar, who assumed office as the 14th Vice President of India in August 2022, resigned last week citing health reasons. In his resignation letter to President Murmu, he stated that he was stepping down to prioritise his health and follow medical advice, making his resignation effective immediately.

While initial speculation suggested internal party dynamics may have influenced his decision, Dhankhar clarified that his resignation was solely for health-related reasons. He also expressed gratitude to President Murmu, Prime Minister Modi, and the Council of Ministers for their guidance and support during his tenure.

On Friday, CP Radhakrishnan, a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and two-time Lok Sabha MP, was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India. The oath of office was administered by President Murmu in a solemn ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, senior Cabinet ministers, and leaders from the Opposition.

Following Dhankhar’s resignation, the Election Commission of India announced the Vice Presidential election schedule. CP Radhakrishnan emerged as the unanimous choice of the ruling NDA alliance and secured a comfortable victory in the electoral college, which includes members of both Houses of Parliament.

This event marked Dhankhar’s first public appearance since vacating the second-highest constitutional office in India. His presence underlined his continued relevance in politics, with many observers watching closely to see his next role.