Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Jul 23: In a pointed political statement, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has deepened the growing fears that India’s democratic institutions are under pressure.

Speaking to reporters at the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters, where he paid tribute to veteran Congress leader Parasram Maderna on his birth anniversary, Gehlot questioned the abrupt nature of Dhankhar’s exit.

"Until just 15 days ago, he was assuring everyone that he would stay in office till 2027. Then, out of nowhere, he resigns despite being in good health. What was the pressure? Only he or his conscience can tell," Gehlot said.

He reiterated that both the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman had been functioning under external pressure—a claim he had previously made during a public address in Jodhpur. While Dhankhar had recently denied those claims at an MLAs' event in Jaipur, Gehlot believes the resignation raises “serious doubts.”

"There is a connection. Something doesn't add up. This resignation has only reinforced our concerns about the erosion of democratic values," he added.

Gehlot went on to allege that central agencies and constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission, were being misused. Referencing Bihar, he criticized the voter roll revision drive, claiming it had become a tool of manipulation. “When the EC starts deleting voters' names, how can democracy survive?” he asked.

He also took aim at Maharashtra, alleging that the ruling party had won elections there in a “one-sided manner” through unfair practices.

Calling for wider public resistance, Gehlot urged citizens not to leave the fight for democracy solely to political parties. “The people must rise. If not, the BJP-RSS high-handedness will continue, and common citizens will bear the brunt,” he warned.

Responding to criticism over the Congress’s shifting stance toward Dhankhar—once moving a no-confidence motion against him, now expressing concern over his resignation—Gehlot said the party had always taken a principled position. “Posts like the Vice President’s deserve dignity. If there were issues, they could have been resolved through proper channels. This abrupt resignation only raises more questions than it answers,” he said.

He concluded by highlighting the importance of neutrality in constitutional roles, citing CP Joshi and Parasram Maderna as examples of leaders who upheld institutional integrity above party affiliations. “That neutrality is missing today. That’s the real danger to democracy,” he said.