"Sonia, Mamata checked in, PM Modi visited": VP Dhankhar thanks leaders after health scare

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resumed his duties as Rajya Sabha Chairman on Monday after being hospitalized at AIIMS, New Delhi, due to cardiac-related ailments. Admitted on March 9 and discharged on March 12, Dhankhar said several leaders, including Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, reached out to his family during his recovery.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar acknowledged the concern shown across party lines and expressed gratitude. "The Leader of the House (JP Nadda) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mallikarjun Kharge) were the first ones to get in touch with my family. Sonia Gandhi got in touch with my wife, as did the chief ministers of several states, including West Bengal," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhankhar at AIIMS during his hospitalization. Dhankhar stated that several others wanted to visit him but could not due to hospital restrictions. "I express my deep sense of gratitude," he said, adding that he was "greatly touched" by the widespread concern.

Recounting a conversation with Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, Dhankhar said he had called him to wish him on his birthday, but O’Brien advised him to take rest. "Derek O'Brien, irrepressible as usual, when I called him on his birthday during this period, he said, 'shut up and take rest,'" Dhankhar shared.

On his first day back in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar received well wishes from various leaders. JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge both wished him good health and a long life. Kharge said he had expected Dhankhar to take more time off but was surprised by his early return. Dhankhar stated that the collective support was an "enlightenment" for him, reinforcing the connections beyond political differences.