New Delhi [India]Aug 6 (ANI): Former West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was elected as the 14th Vice President of India on Saturday, has varied administrative experience and has been in public life for more than three decades.
Born on 18 May 1951 in a village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in a farmer family, Dhankhar completed his schooling from Sainik School, Chittorgarh. After completing his graduation in Physics, he pursued LLB from Rajasthan University. Despite being a first generation professional, he went on to become one of the leading lawyers of the state.
Dhankhar, 71, has practiced in both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court of India. He entered public life after being elected MP from Jhunjhunu in 1989 Lok Sabha elections on a Janata Dal ticket. He also served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in 1990. His politics was initially influenced by Devi Lal, the former Deputy Prime Minister.
Hailing from the Jat community, Dhankhar later focused on state politics and was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 1993 from Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district.
Appointed as the Governor of West Bengal in 2019, he had differences with the Trinamool Congress government on several issues. He resigned as the governor of West Bengal on July 17 before filing his nomination as the vice-presidential candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the humility of NDA’s vice-president candidate and said that he has always worked for the betterment of farmers.
Farmer son Jagdeep Dhankhar ji is known for his humility. He has brought with him an illustrious legal, legislative and gubernatorial career. He has always worked for the betterment of farmers, youth, women and the underprivileged. Glad he will be our VP candidate,” PM Modi said in a Twitter post.
“Jagdeep Dhankhar ji has excellent knowledge of our Constitution. He is also well versed in legislative matters. I am sure that he will be an excellent Speaker in the Rajya Sabha and will guide the proceedings of the House aimed at furthering national progress,” the Prime Minister said.
Elected Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will take the oath of office on August 11, a day after his term ends.
The Vice President is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Dhankhar will preside over the proceedings of the Upper House of Parliament at a time when there is a clear divide between the Treasury Bench and the opposition.
With the election of Dhankhar as the Vice-President, the presiding officers of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will be from Rajasthan. (ANI)
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