"Irreparable loss for the organisation": Uttarakhand CM expresses grief on passing of BJP veteran Vijay Kumar Malhotra

New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday expressed profound grief over the demise of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the first President of the BJP Delhi unit, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, stating that his entire life was dedicated to public service and organisational development.
Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who was 93, passed away in New Delhi earlier today. His mortal remains have also been brought to his residence.
In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Dhami termed the passing of the veteran leader as an "irreparable loss" for the party.
"The news of the demise of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Delhi BJP President Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra ji is extremely saddening.
The entire life of respected Vijay ji was dedicated to public service and the organisation. Your passing is an irreparable loss for the organisation.
I pray to God to grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet and provide strength to the grieving family and supporters to bear this immense sorrow," the post read.

भारतीय जनता पार्टी के वरिष्ठ नेता एवं दिल्ली भाजपा के पूर्व अध्यक्ष प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है।

आदरणीय विजय जी का समस्त जीवन जनसेवा एवं संगठन हेतु समर्पित रहा। आपका निधन संगठन के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है।

ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करता हूं कि पुण्यात्मा…

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) September 30, 2025

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, confirmed his passing in an official statement.
"Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra Ji, a senior BJP leader aged 93 years, was admitted to AIIMS New Delhi, where he passed away in the morning of 30th September 2025," the hospital said in their statement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to the late BJP leader, describing him as a pivotal figure in shaping the ideological and structural evolution of the party, from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh to the Janata Party and finally the BJP.
"I am deeply grieved by the passing of BJP's senior leader Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra ji, who played a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the organisation from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh to the Janata Party and the BJP," Shah said in a post on X.
Furthermore, in his post, Shah praised the first BJP Delhi president for serving the country and the people of Delhi in "every role", adding that in every meeting of theirs, he gained insights into many "intricate aspects" of their organisation.
"Whether as the President of Delhi BJP, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, or as a people's representative, Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra ji served the country and the people of Delhi in every role. In every meeting with him, I gained insights into many intricate aspects related to the organisation. In this hour of grief, the entire BJP family stands with his family members. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," the Home Minister said.
Malhotra, who had a long and active political career, was widely respected across the political spectrum for his ideological commitment and contribution to strengthening the BJP, particularly in Delhi.
Born in Lahore, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Malhotra began his political journey with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. In 1972, he was elected as the President of the Delhi Pradesh Jana Sangh and held the position until 1975.
He went on to serve as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party twice, first in 1977 and again in 1980.
Holding an active career in politics, the senior BJP leader has been credited for keeping the party afloat in the national capital for several years.
A five-time Member of Parliament (MP) and two-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Malhotra was, at one point, the sole BJP candidate to win a seat in Delhi.
According to the BJP, Malhotra enjoyed an unblemished and clean image throughout his distinguished career. An educationist with a doctorate in Hindi literature, Malhotra was also active in social work and the administration of sports bodies, including chess and archery clubs in Delhi. (ANI)