Vijay Kumar Malhotra, a veteran BJP leader and the party’s first president in Delhi, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 93. He had been receiving treatment at AIIMS for several days. Malhotra was a significant figure in the Delhi BJP, having served as the leader of the opposition in the assembly and was also the party’s chief ministerial candidate during the 2008 elections, where the Congress, led by Sheila Dikshit, continued its winning streak. His remains will be available for public viewing at the BJP office on Pandit Pant Marg from 12 noon to 2 pm on October 1 before his cremation at the Lodhi Road crematorium.
Leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, have expressed their sorrow over Malhotra’s passing. The Delhi government has canceled several planned events in light of his death. Modi visited Malhotra’s official residence to pay his respects and praised his contributions to public life, highlighting his role in strengthening the BJP in Delhi. Modi noted, “Shri 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.” He also remarked on Malhotra’s parliamentary contributions and expressed condolences to his family and supporters.
Vice-President Radhakrishnan also shared his grief, calling Malhotra an outstanding leader respected for his deep understanding of public concerns. He acknowledged Malhotra’s significant contributions to public life, including sports administration, and offered his heartfelt condolences. BJP national president JP Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also paid their respects, with Gupta describing Malhotra as the “guardian of all our karyakartas” and lamenting his death as a profound loss. She praised his lifelong dedication to nationalism and organizational discipline, stating that he laid the foundation for the Delhi BJP and guided numerous workers in service and dedication.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva remarked that Malhotra’s life exemplified simplicity and a commitment to public service, noting his tireless efforts to promote the Sangh’s ideology in Delhi since the Jan Sangh days. Sachdeva concluded that Malhotra’s legacy will continue to inspire BJP workers.