Life is like a turbulent river, always flows and the way changes. Sometimes it leads us to new heights, sometimes it draws back. But, as Shakespeare wrote in his play ‘Julius Caesar’, ‘A few moments in life come like a high tide eg in the sea- which if a person handles, he can achieve success and prosperity.’ The story of the life of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned on Monday, is also like this river, which is full of ups and downs.
In 1989, India’s political scenario was disturbed, the Congress was facing unprecedented challenges from the united opposition. This was the best time for non-Congress opposition and the worst time for Congress and then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A young Prime Minister, who attracted the attention of the country with his personality and foresight, suddenly lost his glow. The shadow of corruption, opportunism and communalism blushed his image.
At that time there was a discussion in every house of ‘Bofors’ (Artillery Gun Defense Company) and a slogan was echoing on the streets- ‘Gully, street in the street, Rajiv Gandhi is a thief.’ Another neber was coming out with Rajiv Gandhi’s charisma being reduced- the rise of Hindutva, which was further emphasized by the BJP’s campaign on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. BJP leader LK Advani was taking out ‘Rath Yatra’ from Somnath to Ayodhya, which made Hindutva a major issue in the country. At the same time, a peculiar alliance shaped Indian politics. This gave Jagdeep Dhankhar an opportunity to ride on the tide of fate.
Left-rights were united and Dhankar reached Lok Sabha
Left and right can never be one. But this principle of politics reversed when BJP, VP Singh -led Janata Dal and Lefts joined hands against Rajiv Gandhi in the 1989 elections. This alliance cleverly wired the social fabric woven by the Congress through caste and communal equations. In many places, it brought a solid vote bank against the Congress by bringing rival social groups together. The influence of this alliance was the most felt in states like Rajasthan, where the loyalty of the feudal era had created a deep divide among politically outspoken castes like Jats and Rajputs. For the first time in Indian history, these staunch political rivals united to overthrow the Congress.
The city of Rajasthan Jhunjhunu, whose name is probably named after the chieftain named Jhunjhunu. It is the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan (due to the rule of Shekhawat Kshatriyas, the name of the region is Shekhawati) and is known as the birthplace of some of India’s biggest trading giants. Born in a small village in Jhunjhunu, Jagdeep Dhankhar went to Jaipur to advocate, where he became the President of the High Court Bar Association. But his political destiny was waiting for him in Jhunjhunu.
There is a dominance of three groups in Jhunjhunu’s politics- a number of superior Jats, politically united Muslims, and socially powerful Rajputs, who once ruled as Sardars. The politics of Jhunjhunu has historically dominated the Congress, which has created a strong vote bank of Jats, Muslims and Dalits. In 1989, two leaders played a role in ending this harmony, which gave Jagdeep Dhankhar a rare opportunity.
Political destiny was waiting in Jhunjhunu
Amidst the Jats of Rajasthan, especially in the Shekhawati region, Chaudhary Devi Lal emerged as an unexpected star, even though his Karmabhoomi was the nearby state of Haryana. Devi Lal, known as Tau by supporters, shook the political scenario of Rajasthan when he announced his candidature from Sikar against Congress veteran and fellow Jat leader Balram Jakhar. Devi Lal’s decision to contest from Sikar, which is adjacent to Jhunjhunu, pulled the Jats from the Congress in the entire Shekhawati region to the opposition. He formed a strong group in collaboration with Rajputs and Thakur VP Singh under the leadership of BJP veteran Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, which ensured the victory of the opposition.
Tau Devi Lal had a 75th birthday, and the opposition organized a strong event at the boat club in Delhi. Young lawyer Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had political ambitions, took a convoy of 75 vehicles from Jhunjhunu and reached Delhi to attend Devi Lal’s birthday. A few days later, when his house in Sangram Colony in Jaipur was immersed in darkness due to power cuts, he saw the rays of light. Devi Lal and Ajit Singh came to meet him and proposed to contest from Jhunjhunu. Moving on the joint strength of the anti-incumbency against Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the joint power of the Jat-Rajput alliance, Dhankhar won a huge victory in the election.
In November 1990, the stream of destiny changed its stand. V.P. Singh came to power on the strength of great expectations and people’s will and he formed the government. On the recommendation of Congress leader Bansi Lal, Jagdeep Dhankhar was included in the cabinet as Minister of State. In November 1989, V.P. Singh’s government fell due to breakdown of alliance. Chandrashekhar, whose journey had been separate from the mainstream for a long time, was now handling the reins of the country himself.
Became a minister in the first time, but not much time was found
At that moment, another occasion came when Jagdeep Dhankhar was called to serve as Minister of State in the government. However, he refused to take oath, objecting to the inclusion of Rajasthan leaders Daulat Ram and Kalyan Singh as senior colleagues. In March 1991, Chandrashekhar’s government, which had always been unstable, lost support that kept him standing. Facing the increasing political pressure and isolation, he resigned, which ended his brief tenure.
With the dissolution of the cabinet, the role of Jagdeep Dhankhar in national politics faded as fast as it rose. The doors of Parliament were closed for him, but ambitions were still killing. However, politics rarely forgives or forgets. In the 1990s, the dominance of the Congress was growing again, and Dhankhar saw a practical change- he joined the Congress in 1993 after winning a seat of the state assembly. After winning the assembly, Dhankar’s career became stable for some time.
But he made a political mistake. In the caste-based politics of Rajasthan, Jagdeep Dhankhar established himself as a Jat leader. Unfortunately, the reins of the Congress went into the hands of Ashok Gehlot, who wiped out the Jat leaders from the party. When Gehlot did not give a chance to contest the assembly elections, Dhankhar first joined the NCP and then joined the BJP before the 2003 assembly elections. His old friend and BJP’s new Kshatrap Vasundhara Raje refused to give Dhankar a Rajya Sabha ticket, which broke her dream of returning to national politics.
Some wrong decisions and political career is disgraceful
His political journey, which was once full of hopes, derailed due to his own impatience, sudden change in loyalty and wrong steps. At the same time, the rise of regional leaders also did not allow him to become a chance, who used to see this experienced lawyer with suspicion. As a result, after a brief tenure in almost every major political party within a decade, they found themselves pushed on the shore. An oblivion has its own rhythm. Dhankar waited patiently to overturn the time. People coming on their farm located on the outskirts of Jaipur used to enjoy the coffee that he used to whisk with a spoon for hours. His political exile lasted for about 15 years.
He was active in the legal world and earned a fame in the Supreme Court as a sharp, rational lawyer. Over the years, he created a cool but strong relationship with the RSS. The Sangh and the BJP continued to get the benefit of their knowledge of the law. However, he was still denied formal role. In 2019, his luck took a turn. The BJP, who is looking for an experienced and regional-based reliable leader, appointed Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Governor of West Bengal- a surprising step that brought him to the center of political activities again.
The deep understanding of his legal understanding and political strategy proved to be a boon for her in dealing with the politics of Bengal’s fierce and often confrontation, and often to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His conflict style was rewarded by the BJP in 2022 for the post of Vice President. But another chapter was still left. In this march, Dhankar had an operation related to blockage in the heart. But the problem of low blood pressure remained, due to which he suddenly fainted on many occasions. According to official sources, this is the reason for his sudden resignation.
BJP is the reason for the resignation of the top leadership?
But the real reason is something else. Sources close to Dhankhar say that they were constantly being ignored by the top leadership of the BJP, causing their relationship with the BJP rapidly. In his home state Rajasthan, Jagdeep Dhankhar was feeling humiliated by Chief Minister Bhajanlal, who often ignored his trips or requests. Sources close to him say that he was being deliberately humiliated- it was a clear message that his credibility has fallen within the party. July 20 was the birthday of his wife Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar. A banquet was organized for employees, in which jalebis were ordered from Jaipur. There was no indication of his resignation, although Dhankhar knew that he had held this post more than the scheduled time.
There is a discussion in political circles that he was having tension with the BJP leadership regarding their vocal comments on farmers and judiciary, although there has been no official confirmation. A day after his wife’s birthday, on the very first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President. A family source said, “He was angry because the top leadership of the party was showing indifference to him. The situation had deteriorated so much that the party leadership used to ignore even his greetings. Accepting the impeachment notice of the opposition against Justice Yashwant Verma by Dhankhar was an extreme point of tension.
The story of permanent upliftment of Jagdeep Dhankhar is less and the story of his strong will is more. Their ability to wait, to mold himself according to the circumstances and to take it to the opportunity makes them different. His recent resignation is just a new turn in his long and unexpected political journey. Jagdeep Dhankhar has faced the tide eg in life with amazing perseverance. Will he return again, or is it the end of his political journey? Time will tell what will lead to further fluctuations.
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