Shimla, Sep 29 (IANS) : The Bharatiya Janata Party’s national and state leadership expressed 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 Rajeev Bindal, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar, Members of Parliament Suresh Kashyap, Rajeev Bhardwaj, Kangana Ranaut, Sikander Kumar and Harsh Mahajan, state Organisation General Secretary Siddharthan, among others, expressed grief 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 state 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.
Union minister Nadda, while expressing his condolences, said 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.
State party chief Bindal described Major Mankotia as an experienced, outspoken and fearless public leader whose long political career witnessed several important phases in the state’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,” Bindal said.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister 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 Dhumal and Shanta Kumar recalled his long contribution to the state’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.
