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‘Is Tharoor being considered?’: Social media buzzes with speculation after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation

Interestingly, this comes at a time when Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress high command, as well as with state leadership, has appeared increasingly strained.

South First Desk

Published Jul 22, 2025 | 3:23 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 22, 2025 | 3:23 PM

Jagdeep Dhankar

Jagdeep Dhankar. (X)

Synopsis: Speculation over Shashi Tharoor being considered for Vice President after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation has stirred unease in Kerala Congress. Though unconfirmed, the viral buzz comes amid Tharoor’s strained ties with the party. Congress denies the rumours, while Dhankhar’s exit and Modi’s vague message have raised questions.

In a curious turn of events, a social media buzz suggesting that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is being considered for the post of Vice President by the BJP-led government has triggered ripples within the Congress ranks in Kerala—even though no one is ready to officially comment on it.

The speculation gained traction following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice President on Monday, 21 July night, with online chatter intensifying around Tharoor as a surprise candidate for the post.

While there is no official confirmation from either the BJP or Tharoor’s office, the sheer virality of the rumour has left the Congress state leadership visibly uneasy.

Interestingly, this comes at a time when Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress high command, as well as with state leadership, has appeared increasingly strained.

His frequent deviation from the party line, coupled with public praise for the BJP government on international platforms, has fuelled whispers of political recalibration.

A social media user, by the username mitrapredator wrote: “If Shashi Tharoor is also in the race, Congress will destroy themselves. Too much fun.”

Congress denies speculations

“Rumours, even if circulated a hundred times, don’t become truth,” said a senior Kerala Congress leader, who requested anonymity, adding, “We still believe Tharoor is a true Congressman and will remain so. Considering the nature of BJP politics, they may try to entice him with such plum posts, but we trust he is not naive enough to fall for such traps.”

Despite the mounting speculation, both Tharoor’s office and the state Congress leadership have refrained from issuing any official statement — a silence that has only added fuel to the fire. While some state leaders dismiss the rumours as typical political mischief.

For now, it remains an unconfirmed possibility — yet one potent enough to unsettle party leadership in Kerala as well as in Delhi.

Questions on sudden resignation

Apart from speculating who the next Vice President will be, many questions were also raised at the sudden resignation of Dhankhar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post acknowledging the resignation also raised eyebrows. Modi wrote: “Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.”

A popular X user wrote: “Jagdeep Dhankar, the person who silenced the opposition for the government, has now been silenced by the government.”

The social media has also been flooded with memes, claiming the resignation was forced.

Stand-up comic and  writer Varun Grover too took to X, to take a dig at Dhankar.

Amidst this, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged that the prime minister should speak to Dhankar to change his mind. “This will be in the nation’s interest. The farming community particularly will be greatly relieved,” he added.

However, his remark in the same post that “Dhankar took both the Government and the Opposition to task in equal measure,” received, criticism, with many pointing that the Opposition had earlier moved a no-confidence motion against him.

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