In 2001, he was appointed to the Communications ministry but was dropped in 2003 reshuffle owing to his differences with Arun Shourie. He was sent back to party as one of the general secretaries. Some commentators also described his removal as a result of Atal-Advani fight.
On the morning of 22 April 2006, Mahajan's estranged younger brother, Pravin Mahajan shot him with his licensed .32 Browning pistol at his home.
Four bullets were fired. The first missed Mahajan, but the other three were lodged in his liver and pancreas, damaging several internal organs.
After struggling for his life for 13 days, Mahajan suffered from a cardiac arrest and died on 3 May 2006.
Pramod Mahajan is survived by his wife Rekha, a son Rahul Mahajan (TV personality) and a daughter Poonam Mahajan (aspiring politician).
Pramod Mahajan's rise in politics was spectacular. He had cultivated friends cutting across political parties. He was also connected to big corporate houses and was the chief fun-raiser for the party.
