Congress leader and Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi has questioned the political nature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement following the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Gogoi remarked that the Prime Minister's response seemed more politically charged than institutional, raising concerns about the increasing politicisation of constitutional roles in the country.
Speaking to reporters, Gogoi noted that the Prime Minister’s message, shared on various platforms, gave the impression of being carefully crafted to serve a particular political narrative. He suggested that instead of a neutral acknowledgment of a constitutional development, the message appeared to align with the ruling party’s broader political messaging. According to Gogoi, such public statements risk blurring the lines between the responsibilities of elected officials and the expected impartiality of constitutional functionaries.
Gogoi added that the Vice President holds a key constitutional position and should be above political controversies. He cautioned that any perceived political affiliation or commentary associated with such a post undermines the credibility of democratic institutions. “The Prime Minister should have exercised greater care in his public messaging, especially when dealing with an office as significant as that of the Vice President,” he said.
The resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar came as a surprise to many in political and public spheres. While the reasons for his resignation have not been officially disclosed in detail, speculations are rife regarding possible new responsibilities or political alignments. Gogoi’s remarks have added fuel to these speculations, suggesting that the resignation might be part of a larger political strategy ahead of upcoming elections.
Other opposition leaders have also echoed similar sentiments, stating that the constitutional offices must remain neutral and free from political influence. They argue that repeated instances of political overtones in government communications about constitutional functionaries are a worrying trend in Indian democracy.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, dismissed Gogoi’s allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Senior BJP leaders stated that the Prime Minister's remarks were made in good faith and were meant to acknowledge Dhankhar’s service to the nation. They accused the opposition of creating unnecessary controversies and politicising routine constitutional developments.
This development has once again brought the spotlight on the role of constitutional offices in India and their relationship with the political establishment. Experts and political commentators continue to debate whether increased visibility of such roles in political discourse is a healthy sign of democratic engagement or a threat to institutional integrity.
As the political atmosphere continues to heat up ahead of elections, such debates are likely to become more frequent. Gogoi’s statements may be seen as part of a broader opposition effort to challenge the government's narrative and call for greater accountability and neutrality in constitutional functioning.
