The BJP on Saturday announced Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as the NDA’s candidate for Vice-President, describing him as a “kisan putra” (farmer’s son) and “the people’s governor”.
While picking Dhankhar has allowed the BJP to try and woo farmers, his selection is being seen largely as reward for his three-year stint as Bengal governor, during which he betrayed an unusual alacrity to clash with the Mamata Banerjee government on any issue.
Besides, the Vice-President is ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, and the BJP needed someone it could trust to firmly handle a House where the Opposition has better numbers and seasoned leaders compared with the Lok Sabha, party sources said.
“After much consideration and consultation, we have decided to announce kisan putra Jagdeep Dhankhar as the BJP’s and NDA’s candidate for Vice-President,” BJP president J.P. Nadda said after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After outlining Dhankhar’s rise from an ordinary farming family in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, Nadda underlined his stint as Bengal governor. “He established himself as a people’s governor by highlighting issues of public welfare,” he said.
The BJP-led NDA has a clear edge in the electoral college, made up of members of both Houses of Parliament. Dhankar therefore looks set to sail through the Vice-President’s election, scheduled for August 6. The Opposition is yet to name its candidate.
“Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has excellent knowledge of our Constitution. He is also well-versed with legislative affairs,” Modi tweeted.
“I am sure that he will be an outstanding Chair in the Rajya Sabha & guide the proceedings of the House with the aim of furthering national progress.”
Modi too referred to Dhankhar as “kisan putra”.
Dhankhar had begun his political career as a socialist in the Lok Dal of Charan Singh. He later became a Lok Sabha member from the Janata Dal. He then spent years in the political wilderness before being appointed Bengal governor in July 2019.
Dhankhar was in Delhi on Saturday and called on Modi. Several other governors too were in the capital and met Modi, sparking speculation about an impending shuffle.
If Dhankhar is elected, the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker (Om Birla) will both be from Rajasthan, a Congress-ruled state that goes to the polls next year.
If elected, Dhankhar will replace M. Venkaiah Naidu, who retires on August 10. Some had expected that Venkaiah, a former BJP leader from the south, would receive a second term but this seems to be the end of the road for him.
Dhankhar’s selection also brings to an end speculation about a vice-presidential nomination for Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who recently stepped down as minority affairs minister after his Rajya Sabha term ended. Naqvi was the only Muslim face in the government.
People close to Naqvi now feel he may be appointed a governor — and perhaps sent to Bengal to take on Mamata.
