Bhubaneswar: In a surprise development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today resigned from his post.

Dhankhar resigned from his post to prioritize healthcare and abide by medical advice with immediate effect. He sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu.

“To prioritize health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67 (a) of the Constitution,” said Dhankhar in his resignation letter.

Dhankhar expressed his deep gratitude to the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers for their support and cooperation during his time in the office of the Vice President.

Dhankhar had been elected as the Vice President of India in 2022 and he was supposed to hold the post for five years.

Prior to his election as the Vice President, Dhankhar had served as the Governor of West Bengal.

Born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana village, Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Dhankhar rose from humble beginnings to hold some of the highest constitutional offices in India.

He completed his schooling at Sainik School, Chittorgarh, and graduated with a B.Sc. followed by an LLB from the University of Rajasthan.

Dhankhar began his professional career as an advocate in 1979, becoming a Senior Advocate designated by the Rajasthan High Court in 1990. He practised in the Supreme Court of India and held the position of President of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association.

He entered politics in 1989 as a Lok Sabha MP from Jhunjhunu on a Janata Dal ticket. He was appointed Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar government (1990-1991). From 1993 to 1998, he served as an MLA from Kishangarh in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

(With inputs from IANS)