Veteran BJP Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra Dies at 93; PM Modi Leads Tributes to Delhi Stalwart

New Delhi: Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, a towering figure in the political landscape of the national capital and a veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 93. The former parliamentarian and first president of the Delhi BJP unit was undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where he breathed his last.

The passing of Prof. Malhotra marks the end of an era for the BJP in Delhi, where he was instrumental in nurturing the party’s roots from the days of the Jana Sangh. Political leaders across the spectrum, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed deep sorrow and paid rich tributes to the departed leader.

Prime Minister Modi Condoles Demise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express his grief, highlighting Prof. Malhotra’s significant contributions. “Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra Ji distinguished himself as an outstanding leader, who had a very good understanding of people’s issues,” the Prime Minister wrote. “He played a vital role in strengthening our Party in Delhi. He is also remembered for his Parliamentary interventions. Pained by his passing away. Condolences to his family and admirers.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda were among the other senior leaders who offered their condolences, calling his death an “irreparable loss” to the party. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva released a statement describing Prof. Malhotra’s life as an “example of simplicity and dedication to public service,” noting his tireless work since the days of the Jan Sangh to expand the party’s ideology in Delhi.

A Long and Distinguished Political Career

Born on December 3, 1931, in Lahore (now in Pakistan), Prof. Malhotra’s career spanned over five decades, establishing him as one of the most senior and respected figures in Delhi politics. An educationist with a doctorate in Hindi literature, his political journey began in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in the late 1950s.

His long list of achievements includes serving as the Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi’s Metropolitan Council (a position equivalent to Chief Minister at the time) from 1967 to 1972. He was the first President of the Delhi unit of the BJP and held the post for two terms. He was also credited, alongside figures like Kedar Nath Sahni and Madan Lal Khurana, with maintaining the party’s resilience in the capital for decades.

Prof. Malhotra was a five-time Member of Parliament and a two-time Member of the Legislative Assembly from Delhi. A notable highlight of his career was his victory in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, where he defeated former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by a large margin. His standing was such that in the 2004 General Elections, he was the only BJP candidate to win a parliamentary seat in Delhi when the Congress swept the remaining six.

Beyond his political roles, Prof. Malhotra was also a prominent sports administrator, serving as the Senior Vice-President and later the Acting President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the President of the Archery Association of India for many years.

His demise comes just a day after Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Delhi BJP’s first permanent state office—a milestone that many party veterans noted was a long-cherished dream that Prof. Malhotra had envisioned. The political fraternity mourns the loss of a grassroots leader who was widely respected for his clean image, simplicity, and unwavering commitment to public service and strengthening the BJP’s foundations in the National Capital. Sources