Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra, face of the Bharati Jana Sangh, passed away at the age of 93 in the capital city on Monday morning. Professor Malhotra was one of the tallest leaders of the BJP in Delhi and had helped the party pave its way to the Centre.
Malhotra was undergoing treatment at AIIMS and breathed his last around 6 AM. According to the Delhi BJP team, later his body was taken to his official residence at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Road. Senior leaders paid their respects. His funeral saw the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Governor V. K. Saxena, and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, along with MP Basudev Swaraj. Other names include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and many leaders across the political divide in Delhi were present at Malhotra’s residence on Tuesday as they condoled the death of the veteran BJP leader.
On the demise, the Delhi government has declared one-day state mourning in Malhotra’s honour. CM Rekha Gupta said that the state government will carry forward the last rites of the leader with full honour.
“He not only shaped Delhi politics but also set new standards of public service, earning respect as a true servant of the people. As the first president of Delhi BJP, he strengthened the party’s foundations and guided countless workers with his example of service, discipline, and dedication,” said CM Gupta.
Former CM Arvind Kejriwal posted on his social media, “May God grant peace to the departed soul and provide a place at his divine feet.”
Along with this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also visited Malhotra’s residence to pay homage. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J. P. Nadda termed Malhotra’s passing as an irreplaceable loss to the BJP family.
What Leaders Said
“The passing away of Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra Ji, a senior leader who remained eternally dedicated to the organisation from the Bharati Jana Sangh to the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the first president of Delhi BJP, is extremely heartbreaking,” posted J. P. Nadda on his social media. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recalled Malhotra as a vital leader in shaping and expanding the organisation from the Jana Sangh to the Janata Party and finally the BJP.
“Malhotra Ji laid a strong foundation of modern development in Delhi and paved the way for the capital’s progress. He was a genuine, interested friend of the trading community of Delhi, always eager and sensitive in addressing traders’ issues. His consistent support and guidance were a source of great strength for the business fraternity,” stated BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal from the Chandni Chowk constituency.