Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and veteran parliamentarian Vijay Kumar Malhotra passed away on Tuesday morning at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
Malhotra had a long and influential political career and was widely respected across the political spectrum for his commitment to the BJP and his contribution to its strengthening, particularly in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating that Malhotra “played a vital role” in solidifying the party’s presence in the National Capital.
“Vijay Kumar Malhotra Ji distinguished himself as an outstanding leader who had a very good understanding of people’s issues. He played a vital role in strengthening our Party in Delhi and is also remembered for his Parliamentary interventions. Pained by his passing away. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” PM Modi remarked in a post on X.
The Delhi unit of the BJP also expressed its grief over the veteran leader’s death. In a statement on X, the party said, “The news of the sudden demise of BJP’s senior leader, the first president of Delhi BJP, Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra ji, is extremely heartbreaking. In this hour of grief, the entire BJP family stands with their family members. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet. Om Shanti.”
Born in Lahore, Punjab, which is now in Pakistan, Malhotra began his political journey with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He was elected as the President of the Delhi Pradesh Jana Sangh in 1972, a position he held until 1975.
He served as the President of the BJP twice, first in 1977 and then in 1980, and was instrumental in maintaining the party’s presence in the national capital over the years. Malhotra was a five-time Member of Parliament (MP) and a two-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), at one point being the sole BJP candidate to secure a seat in Delhi.
Condolences have poured in from leaders across different political parties, recognizing Malhotra’s decades-long dedication to public service and the democratic process.
