Veteran BJP Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra Passes Away at 93: A Legacy of Political Service and Leadership in Delhi

Veteran BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 93 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, where he had been hospitalized for several days.

As the first president of the BJP in Delhi, Malhotra served as opposition leader in the assembly and was the party's chief ministerial candidate during the 2008 election, when Congress under Sheila Dikshit maintained power.

Following news of his death, numerous political figures expressed their condolences, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Delhi government canceled multiple scheduled events.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva announced the passing in an official statement, noting that "Prof Vijay Kumar Malhotra, senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party and the first president of Delhi BJP, passed away this morning."

Sachdeva highlighted that Malhotra's life exemplified simplicity and dedication to public service, mentioning how he had worked tirelessly since the Jan Sangh days to expand the organization's ideology throughout Delhi.

"His life has always been, and will continue to be, a source of inspiration for all BJP workers," Sachdeva added.

Notably, Malhotra's passing occurred just one day after Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Delhi BJP's new permanent office at DDU Marg.

Prime Minister Modi commemorated Malhotra on social media platform X, describing him as "an outstanding leader with a very good understanding of people's issues" who "played a vital role in strengthening our party in Delhi."

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta referred to Malhotra as the "guardian of all our karyakartas" and described his death as "an extremely painful and irreparable loss."

She added in Hindi that "from the days of the Jan Sangh to the establishment of the BJP, his life remained a living example of nationalism, organisational skills and discipline."

Malhotra served as a five-time MP and two-time MLA from Delhi, notably defeating Congress candidate Manmohan Singh in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections for the South Delhi constituency. Singh later became prime minister in 2004.

In response to Malhotra's passing, the Delhi government canceled several scheduled events. Delhi minister Parvesh Singh Verma announced on X that a planned DJB function at Keshopur STP, which was to be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, had been postponed.