BJP Leadership Condoles Demise of Former Minister Major Vijay Singh Mankotia; Himachal Loses a Veteran and Forthright Public Leader
His Service to the Nation as a Soldier and to Himachal as a Public Representative Will Always Be Remembered: Jagat Prakash Nadda, Dr Rajeev Bindal, Jairam Thakur
Shimla, September 29: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s national and state leadership has expressed profound grief over the demise of former Himachal Pradesh minister and veteran leader Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87.
Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur, BJP State President Dr Rajeev Bindal, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, former Chief Ministers Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar, MPs Suresh Kashyap, Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj and Kangana Ranaut, Rajya Sabha MPs Dr Sikander Kumar and Harsh Mahajan, State Organisation General Secretary Siddharthan, State General Secretary Sanjeev Katwal, Payal Vaidya, Bikram Thakur and Satpal Singh Satti, among other senior BJP leaders, expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
The BJP leaders said that Major Mankotia’s life represented a distinctive combination of service to the nation and service to the people. Before entering politics, he served the country as an officer in the Indian Army. His military background was reflected throughout his public life in his discipline, forthrightness and fearless approach.
During his long political career, Major Mankotia represented the Shahpur Assembly constituency in Kangra district five times and served twice as a minister in the Himachal Pradesh Government, handling important portfolios including Tourism, Civil Aviation and Law. Over a political career spanning nearly four decades, he established a distinct identity in Himachal Pradesh’s public and political life.
Jagat Prakash Nadda, while expressing his condolences, said that the demise of Major Mankotia was a significant loss to the public life of Himachal Pradesh. His contribution as a soldier in the service of the nation and later as a public representative would always be remembered. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family.
Dr Rajeev Bindal described Major Mankotia as an experienced, outspoken and fearless public leader whose long political career witnessed several important phases in Himachal Pradesh’s history.
“From serving the nation as a soldier to serving the people as an elected representative and minister, Major Vijay Singh Mankotia devoted a significant part of his life to the country and Himachal Pradesh. His demise is an irreparable loss to the state’s public life,” Dr Bindal said.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said Major Mankotia served the country and the state in both his roles—as a soldier and as a political leader. His decades-long association with Kangra, particularly the Shahpur region, his political experience and his forthright personality would always be remembered.
Former Chief Ministers Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar also expressed deep sorrow over his demise and recalled his long contribution to Himachal Pradesh’s political and public life.
The BJP leadership said Major Mankotia would be remembered not merely as a politician but also for his service as an Army officer, his long association with the people, his administrative experience and his outspoken approach to public issues.
BJP Himachal Pradesh paid heartfelt tributes to Major Vijay Singh Mankotia and prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to his family, supporters and well-wishers to bear this irreparable loss.