New Delhi, August 2: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has sharply criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, calling it the “biggest example of institutional capture” in India’s democratic history.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Congress Legal Cell’s conclave titled “Constitutional Challenges: Perspectives and Pathways”, Kharge alleged that Dhankhar was “forced” to resign after he began asserting institutional independence and showing signs of autonomy in his role as Rajya Sabha Chairperson.
Kharge claimed that Dhankhar’s shift toward impartiality—particularly his willingness to entertain impeachment motions against sitting judges—was intolerable to the BJP leadership. “He started speaking independently, preparing to accept the impeachment motion against Allahabad Judge Shekhar Yadav and Judge Yashwant Verma. That was the tipping point,” Kharge said.
The Congress leader also accused the Modi government of undermining parliamentary norms by replacing the Parliamentary Security Service with CISF personnel, alleging that the move was intended to intimidate opposition MPs.
Kharge’s remarks come amid growing speculation over Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation, which the BJP has attributed to health concerns. However, opposition leaders have questioned the official narrative, citing Dhankhar’s recent assertiveness and strained relations with senior ministers as possible triggers.
The resignation, announced just ahead of the Monsoon Session, has sparked a political storm, with parties like the DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Samajwadi Party joining the chorus demanding transparency. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh pointed to Dhankhar’s exclusion from key parliamentary meetings as evidence of internal friction.
Kharge concluded by urging the legal fraternity to defend the Constitution’s core values and resist attempts to dilute its secular and socialist foundations. “The Constitution is not just a legal document—it is the soul of our democracy,” he said.
