New Delhi, September 30 (IANS) BJP leaders on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of the party’s veteran Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who died in the morning in AIIMS Delhi and recalled his contribution in strengthening the party in the national capital.
Born in Lahore in December 1931, Malhotra died at the age of 93. His mortal remains will be brought to the Delhi BJP office to give their final honor.
Malhotra served as a five -time MP from Delhi and a two -time MLA. He served as President of Delhi Pradesh Jana Sangh (1972-75) and President of BJP Delhi Pradesh (1977-80, 1980-84) twice.
In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Malhotra was the only BJP candidate to win his seat in Delhi.
The party further mentioned that in the last 45 years, Malhotra’s work in Delhi made him “one of the most senior BJP figures in the capital”.
In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted, “I am deeply saddened by the death of senior BJP leader Mr. Vijay Kumar Malhotra ji, who played an important role in shaping and expanding the organization from the Indian public to the Janata Party and the BJP.”
“Whether as the President of Delhi BJP, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, or as a representative of the people, Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra ji served the people of the country and Delhi in every role. In every meeting with him, I gained insight into many complex aspects related to the organization.”
He said that the entire BJP stands in this hour of grief with its family members, “God has given the departed soul a place on his divine feet. Om Shanti Shanti.”
Union Health Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda said that Malhotra’s death is “irreparable loss for the BJP family”.
“Malhotra ji, who was always a specialty of simplicity, integrity, and unbreakable loyalty towards the organization, not only contributed to the expansion of the organization in Delhi, but also tirelessly shaped countless workers and ready for national and public service,” he posted on X.
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also resorted to social media and expressed grief to pass the veteran leader of the BJP leader.
“In the history of Jan Sangh and BJP, stalwarts like Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra have a special place. He worked to strengthen our party in Delhi. Widely honored for his knowledge of the Indian Constitution, he was an experienced MP who worked tirelessly among the people.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra, “is a very painful and irreparable loss” from the passing of “the patron of all of us workers”.
“From the era of the Jan Sangh to the establishment of the BJP, his life has been a living example of patriotism, organizational skills and discipline. As the first president of Delhi BJP, he strengthened the foundation of the organization and showed the path of service and dedication to countless workers,” he said in a post on X.
CM Gupta said that Malhotra’s death has “left a deep zero in both BJP family and social life”.
He said, “I pray to God to place the departed soul on their holy feet and provide strength to the members of the bereaved family and workers to bear this unbearable sorrow. Om Shanti,” he said.
BJP MP Bansuri Savraj also took on social media and said that the BJP leader’s death is “very heartbreaking”.
He said, “His entire life was dedicated to the nation, organization and public service. To strengthen the BJP from the Jan Sangh era, he always gave politics a new direction to politics through ideals, penance and spirit of service.”
Swaraj further said that BJP and country will always remember the contribution and guidance of Malhotra.
According to Delhi BJP, Malhotra had an active career in politics, as well as Kedar Nath Sahni and Madan Lal Khurana. The party also credited Malhotra to preserve the BJP in Delhi for many years.
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SD/DPB