Jaipur: The sudden and unceremonious resignation of former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, one of the country’s most prominent Jat politicians, has triggered unease and resentment within sections of Rajasthan’s Jat community.Dhankhar, originally from Kithana village in Jhunjhunu district, stepped down Monday citing health reasons. However, many within the community are interpreting the move as a political setback—one that reflects an attempt to sideline Jats and farmers from national politics.Jats, who form a significant section of Rajasthan’s population, are a dominant socio-political force, particularly in western Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. Dhankhar’s elevation to Vice-President in 2022 was seen as a masterstroke by BJP, aimed at consolidating the Jat votes ahead of crucial elections.“Dhankhar never disappointed BJP. He consistently projected himself as Jat and farmer leader. His repeated visits to Rajasthan and Haryana during assembly and Lok Sabha elections were always interpreted as part of BJP’s strategy to woo farmers and Jats, both,” said a senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity. He added, “This resignation has now created a vacuum. The party must come up with a credible explanation soon to pacify the community.”Rajasthan BJP is already facing internal challenges regarding Jat representation in the organisation. The marginalisation of former state president Satish Poonia—once considered a possible CM face—added to the discomfort. Poonia’s defeat in the 2023 assembly polls from Jaipur’s Amber constituency, denial of Lok Sabha ticket to him from Ajmer and his exclusion from Rajya Sabha polls in 2024 have not gone down well with the Jat electorate.“BJP failed to fill the leadership void among Jats in Rajasthan. That’s why Congress and its allies managed to win four key Jat-dominated Lok Sabha seats—Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, and Churu—in 2024. It was the biggest blow to BJP from the Jat belt in recent years,” said a party insider. “Despite 18 months in govt, BJP couldn’t create a strong Jat face to regain lost ground.”Sensing the mood, Rajasthan Congress was quick to seize the moment. Party state president Govind Singh Dotasra called Dhankhar’s resignation a “classic case of BJP’s use-and-throw policy.” “This is an anti-farmer and anti-Jat move. They sidelined him once his utility was over,” Dotasra said Tuesday.Several Jat and OBC organisations also expressed displeasure at the development. Some reached out to contacts in Delhi to seek clarity on the situation. “We are in talks with leaders in the Centre and will issue an official statement soon,” said a senior member of the Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha.
