New Delhi, August 6 – Former Governor Satyapal Malik passed away today at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness. He was undergoing treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, where he breathed his last. His recent health condition had visibly deteriorated, as seen in a photograph circulated days before his demise.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over Malik’s death, stating on social media platform X, “I am saddened by the death of Satyapal Malik. My condolences are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”A Long Political Voyage Satyapal Malik’s political journey began during his student union days and spanned decades, reflecting both versatility and turbulence. Though he frequently changed political affiliations, his impact remained significant.He first entered electoral politics by winning from Baghpat Assembly constituency on a Bharatiya Kranti Dal ticket under the leadership of Chaudhary Charan Singh. When Singh later formed the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Malik was appointed as its General Secretary and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1980.In 1984, Malik joined the Indian National Congress, but left the party following the Bofors scandal, in which former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was named. Disillusioned, Malik switched to Janata Dal and won the 1989 Lok Sabha elections from Aligarh as its candidate.Despite the early momentum, Malik could never regain electoral success. He contested the 1996 elections on a Samajwadi Party ticket and the 2004 Lok Sabha polls from Baghpat as a BJP candidate but lost both times.Role in Governance Though his electoral record waned, Malik’s political career was far from over. In 2012, the BJP appointed him as the National Vice-President, and in 2017, he was appointed as the Governor of Bihar.His most high-profile role came shortly thereafter, when he was named the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. His tenure there was historic—Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated during his governorship in August 2019. He later served as the Governor of Goa and Meghalaya as well.A Legacy Remembered Satyapal Malik’s political career reflected a unique journey through India’s ever-evolving democratic landscape. From student activism to holding gubernatorial posts, his life witnessed—and shaped—several critical moments in Indian politics.Leaders across the spectrum are expected to pay tributes in the coming days, remembering a man who remained outspoken and deeply engaged with the political fabric of the country until the end.