Saptrishi Soni । In the hills of Himachal Pradesh, politics rarely unfolds quietly. It echoes, travels with the wind, gathers emotions, and often finds its soul in personalities who refuse to fade. One such personality—towering, fierce, unpredictable, and undeniably charismatic—is Vijay Singh Mankotia, the five-time MLA from Shahpur and one of the most compelling political figures ever produced by the Kangra region.
And now, after years of silence and speculation, Mankotia has broken his quietude with a line that has sent tremors through the political circles of Kangra and beyond:
“Tiger abhi jinda hai.”
He said it softly, yet powerfully, during his birthday celebration and the launch of his book—a moment that was meant to be personal, almost intimate, but turned into a political spark. Those in attendance watched him closely—his tone, his pauses, his expressions—hoping to understand whether the ageing warrior was willing to step into the electoral battlefield once again.
The answer came in four words.
And the roar was unmistakable.
A Leader Who Refuses to Fade
For the people of Shahpur, Vijay Singh Mankotia is not just a former MLA—they see him as an institution. A seasoned politician who has worn multiple political colours yet maintained an identity that is distinctly his own. First elected in 1982 as an Independent, then joining the Janata Dal, and later emerging as a formidable Congress leader, Mankotia has shaped Shahpur’s political narrative for nearly four decades.
He served as Tourism Minister in the Congress government—a role in which he earned admiration for his administrative style, vision, and command over issues that matter to common people.
But it is not the office he held—it is the persona he built.
A man who speaks less, works more.
A man who commands respect, not demands it.
A man who has always been difficult to ignore, no matter which side he stands on.
The Emotional Pulse of Shahpur and Kangra
Shahpur is one of the most politically vibrant constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, with nearly one lakh voters—deeply aware, deeply expressive, and with a legacy of choosing leaders who leave a mark. The region’s political heartbeat often beats in rhythm with the voice of its people—strong, rooted, and vocal.
Mankotia is one of the few leaders whose name still resonates across Shahpur—not merely as nostalgia but as relevance.
His supporters—many of whom have grown old with him—still believe he has unfinished work. Many among the youth, who only know him through stories and reputation, speak of him with curiosity and reverence, as if he is a legend they want to see in action.
In Kangra district, which sends 17 MLAs to the state Assembly, Mankotia’s influence is even wider. As the saying goes:
“Whoever wins Kangra, wins Himachal.”
And in Kangra, Mankotia is still a name capable of shifting equations.
A Leader With Two Armies: The Public and the Ex-Servicemen
Perhaps Mankotia’s greatest political asset is not just his mass following but his unparalleled presence among the ex-servicemen community. For nearly 40 years, he has served as the President of the Ex-Servicemen League—a prestigious, emotionally driven, and highly respected institution in a state like Himachal Pradesh, where nearly every second family has someone serving or retired from the armed forces.
In the ex-servicemen community, leadership is earned—not granted.
And Mankotia has earned it, year after year, for decades.
This combination—a deep connection with the common masses and a rock-solid reputation among ex-servicemen—gives him a rare political edge. It is the kind of support base political parties strive for but rarely achieve.
Political Ripples: Will the Tiger Hunt Again?
The real question now is not whether Vijay Singh Mankotia still has the fire.
He made that clear.
The question is—will he jump into the electoral battlefield again?
And if so, how?
Speculation is rife:
• Will the BJP field him from Shahpur?
• Will the age factor—BJP’s informal 75-year rule—block his entry?
• Will he revive his original avatar as an Independent, his old hunting mode?
The BJP door is both open and uncertain.
The Congress door is emotional but politically difficult.
The Independent route—well, that has always been his home turf.
Political observers in Kangra are unanimous about one thing:
If Mankotia jumps into the fray, Shahpur will become the most watched constituency of Himachal Pradesh.
Even his recent video on social media—where he casually said he is free and ready to spend time among people for the next many years on his birthday—was seen as a political teaser.
And now, his “Tiger abhi jinda hai” has turned that teaser into a trailer.
The Legacy of a Fighter Returning to the Arena
Politics is not just about age.
It is about stamina, conviction, and the ability to stir hearts.
Vijay Singh Mankotia still has all three.
Age has touched him.
But age has not tamed him.
His supporters know it.
His critics fear it.
His rivals acknowledge it—silently.
In the rugged terrains of Kangra and the buzzing chowks of Shahpur, his name is once again on people’s lips. The debate has restarted. The curiosity is alive. The excitement is back.
And the man at the centre of it all stands calmly, watching, listening—perhaps already planning his next move.
Whether he contests or not, one thing is now certain:
The Tiger has roared again.
And the hills of Himachal are listening.
In politics, comebacks are not made—they are felt.
And Vijay Singh Mankotia has made the entire region feel it:
Tiger abhi jinda hai.
