Former Himachal Minister & Gaddi Leader Kishan Kapoor Passes Away at 74

Dharamshala, February 1, 2025: Senior BJP leader, former Himachal Pradesh minister, and Gaddi community leader Kishan Kapoor passed away today at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, after a prolonged illness. He was 74 years old.

Born on June 25, 1950, in Khaniyara, Dharamshala, Kapoor was a towering political figure in Himachal Pradesh, having served as a five-time MLA and a three-time minister in the state government. In 2019, he made history by winning the Kangra Lok Sabha seat with the highest vote percentage in the country, securing victory by an overwhelming margin of 4.77 lakh votes.

A Stalwart in Himachal Politics
Kapoor's political journey began in the 1970s with the Jana Sangh and later the Janata Party. He rose through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), serving as Mandal President of BJP Dharamshala from 1982-84. Though he lost his first Assembly election in 1985, he won his first seat in 1990 from Dharamshala on a BJP ticket.

His electoral career saw several ups and downs:
•    1990 – Elected as MLA for the first time.
•    1993 – Re-elected as MLA.
•    1998 – Won again and became a minister for the first time.
•    2003 – Lost to Congress leader Chandresh Kumari.
•    2007 – Regained the seat and became a minister again.
•    2012 – Defeated by Sudhir Sharma (Congress).
•    2017 – Defeated Sudhir Sharma to become MLA for the fifth time and served as a minister in the state cabinet.
•    2019 – Elevated to Member of Parliament (MP) from Kangra, replacing Shanta Kumar.

Condolences Pour In
The news of Kapoor’s passing has left the political fraternity in mourning.
Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar, under whose leadership Kapoor had worked closely, expressed deep sorrow, saying, "Kishan Kapoor was not just a political colleague but a close associate. His passing is a personal loss."
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur and BJP MLA from Dharamshala Sudhir Sharma also extended their condolences, calling his death a huge loss to the state and the party.
Kapoor is survived by his wife Rekha Kapoor, son Shashwat Kapoor, and daughter Pragati Kapoor.
His passing marks the end of an era in Himachal Pradesh politics, particularly for the Gaddi community, for whom he was a strong voice and a dedicated leader.