Jagdeep Dhankhar: Dhankhar was seen for the first time after his resignation, sitting next to Radhakrishnan, smiling and clapping

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India on Friday. President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath to 67-year-old Radhakrishnan at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday morning. Wearing a red kurta, Radhakrishnan took the oath in English in the name of God. Radhakrishnan won the Vice Presidential election on Tuesday by defeating joint opposition candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was also seen during this. He has appeared in public for the first time since July 21.

This election was held due to the sudden resignation of the then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health reasons. Dhankhar also attended the ceremony. This was his first public appearance after resigning from the post of Vice President. Dhankhar was sitting in the first row of guests close to CP Radhakrishnan at the event. During this, he was seen laughing, smiling and clapping. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP President JP Nadda also attended the event. Former Vice Presidents Hamid Ansari and Venkaiah Naidu were also present at the ceremony.

Earlier, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had written a letter to his successor congratulating him. This was his first public statement after leaving the post in July. Dhankhar had written that CP Radhakrishnan's accession to this high post reflects the trust and confidence of the public representatives. He further said that due to his vast experience in public life, the post of Vice President will gain more respect and dignity. Dhankhar, in his message, had expressed hope that under Radhakrishnan's leadership, the office of the Vice President would touch new heights and further strengthen democracy. He wished him a successful tenure and good luck for serving the country.

All opposition political parties, including the Congress, were constantly questioning Jagdeep Dhankhar's silence and his absence in public. The Congress had said that the former Vice President has maintained an unusual silence for the last 50 days. Congress leader Sachin Pilot had also questioned Jagdeep Dhankhar's silence. He had asked where is former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar? Apart from this, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien had also asked serious questions to the government regarding Dhankhar's absence.