Dharamshala, Sept. 30 -- Former Himachal Pradesh cabinet minister and five-time Shahpur MLA Major Vijai Singh Mankotia (retd) passed away on Tuesday morning following a heart attack at his ancestral home in Tiara village, Kangra district. He was 87. He was taken to a private hospital where doctors declared him dead. His last rites will be performed on Wednesday. An army veteran who entered public service after taking premature retirement from the military, Mankotia launched his political career by winning his first assembly election as an Independent from Shahpur in 1982. In 1985, he won on a Congress ticket. His political trajectory was marked by frequent shifts across party lines: He contested under the Janata Dal banner in the 1990s, spearheaded the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Himachal Pradesh campaign in 2007, returned briefly to the Congress, and eventually joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2022. He served twice as a cabinet minister in the Himachal Pradesh government, holding key portfolios including tourism, civil aviation, and law. Over a career spanning four decades, he established a distinct presence across Himachal Pradesh as an outspoken regional figure and a vocal advocate for military veterans. Long associated with the Congress, he was known for his volatile relationship with former chief minister Virbhadra Singh. In 2007, Mankotia released a controversial audio CD alleging corruption against then-chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Later, Virbhadra was cleared of all allegations. Beyond politics, Mankotia was also an author who penned books on regional political governance, including The Pattern of Destiny, Turmoil, and Upheaval. Tributes poured in following news of his death. Union minister Jagat Prakash Nadda expressed condolences, stating that Mankotia's contribution as a soldier in service of the nation and later as a public representative would always be remembered. Leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur highlighted Mankotia's deep ties to Kangra, noting that his political experience, military background, and forthright personality leave a lasting legacy in Himachal Pradesh politics. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, expressing condolences, said he made significant contributions towards the development of Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the Shahpur assembly constituency of Kangra district. "Mankotia's efforts towards the welfare of society would be remembered by the people for a long time, the chief minister said....