Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to veteran BJP leader VK Malhotra on Saturday, describing him as a tireless worker and institution builder who spent his life in hard work, determination and service.
Malhotra, who died in New Delhi on September 30 at the age of 93, was the first president of the Delhi state branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a veteran politician in India’s capital.
“Malhotra’s life shows the core values of the RSS, Jana Sangh and BJP – courage in the face of adversity, service before self, and a deep commitment to national and cultural values,” Modi said on his website. He added that the Partition trauma did not harden him into bitterness; instead, it pushed him to help displaced families rebuild their lives.
Born in Lahore on December 3, 1931, Malhotra grew up in the North‑West frontier of British India. He served as president of the Delhi Jana Sangh from 1972‑75, then as BJP Delhi president twice (1977‑80 and 1980‑84). During his long career, he remained a constant presence on the public stage, working both electoral campaigns and organisational duties to keep BJP strong in Delhi.
His most memorable political win came in the 1999 Lok Sabha election when he defeated former prime minister Manmohan Singh by a wide margin. Modi highlighted that Malhotra ran positive campaigns, ignoring vicious attacks, and captured more than 50 % of the vote in Delhi. The veteran parliamentarian stood as a strong opposition leader during the UPA‑1 government, warning against corruption and terrorism.
Outside politics, Malhotra was a scholar of Hindi literature and chaired Delhi’s archery and chess clubs. He served for decades as president of the Archery Association of India, helping the sport earn international recognition and providing athletes with needed opportunities.
“Beyond the offices he held, his legacy lies in the ethos he carried forward – putting service before self, remaining rooted in values, and confronting challenges with courage,” Modi said. He added that Malhotra’s clean reputation, academic background, and focus on cultural institutions made him a quintessential party man.
The tribute appeared in leading Indian newspapers and has been widely shared across social media, reflecting the high esteem in which Malhotra is remembered among BJP, RSS supporters and Delhi’s political community.
Source: aninews
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