Former BJP MP Balbir Punj. File | Photo Credit: V. Sudershan Former Rajya Sabha MP, journalist and senior BJP leader Balbir Punj, 76, passed away on Saturday (April 18, 2026) evening after suffering illness for some time. Mr. Punj, a former vice president of the BJP and associated with the RSS from a young age, had a long career in public life — in politics and policy circles, and in the media. He began his career as a journalist in 1971 with the newspaper The Motherland, later serving for two decades at the Financial Express, and the as executive editor of The Observer of Business and Politics from May 1996 to March 2000. Published – April 19, 2026 01:45 am IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Contesting election to seek justice, ensure people’s welfare, says Porkodi Armstrong DMK and Congress derailed our effort, but we will continue to fight for women, says PM Modi