Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader VK Malhotra, describing him as a “tireless karyakarta and institution builder” who dedicated his life to hard work, service, and the nation’s cultural values.
Malhotra, the first president of the Delhi State BJP, passed away on September 30 in New Delhi at the age of 93.
“A life of service and determination”
In a heartfelt tribute published on his website narendramodi.com, PM Modi said, “A few days ago, we lost one of our senior-most leaders, Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra Ji. He lived a long and accomplished life, but more importantly, he led a life of relentless hard work, determination and service.”
The Prime Minister said that Malhotra’s life reflected the core ethos of the RSS, Jana Sangh, and BJP — courage in adversity, service above self, and deep commitment to national and cultural values.
Overcame partition trauma through service
PM Modi recalled that Malhotra’s family endured the horrors of the Partition, but instead of bitterness, he devoted himself to helping others rebuild their lives. “He found his calling in the ideology of the RSS and the Jana Sangh. His fellow karyakartas in those days included Madanlal Khurana Ji and Kidar Nath Sahni Ji. People like them were at the forefront of selfless service,” he said.
A pillar of BJP in Delhi
Born on December 3, 1931, in Lahore, Malhotra was among the most enduring figures in Delhi’s political landscape. He led the Delhi Pradesh Jana Sangh (1972–75) and later became the Delhi BJP President twice between 1977–84.
PM Modi lauded him as a leader who “traversed the worlds of electoral and organisational politics with equal ease” and credited him with strengthening the party in the capital.
Landmark 1999 victory over Manmohan Singh
Malhotra’s most notable political triumph came in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, when he defeated former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by a wide margin. “He never reduced the level of discourse. He ran a positive campaign, ignoring vile attacks and won with over 50% of the vote,” PM Modi said.
Malhotra also served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition during UPA-1, where he strongly criticised the government on issues of corruption and terrorism.
Five-time MP, two-time MLA and institution builder
Throughout his long public life, Malhotra served as a five-time Member of Parliament and two-time MLA from Delhi. PM Modi praised his contributions as an “institution builder” who nurtured several RSS-linked educational, social, and cultural organisations, describing them as “nurseries of talent and service.”
Contribution to sports and education
An academic with a PhD in Hindi literature, Malhotra was also deeply involved in sports administration. He served as the President of the Archery Association of India for several decades, playing a pivotal role in promoting Indian archery on the global stage.
“His work in sports administration reflected his dedication, organisational ability, and pursuit of excellence,” the Prime Minister said.
“Embodiment of party ethos”
PM Modi concluded his tribute by describing Malhotra as “the ideal party man,” whose legacy would continue to inspire generations of BJP workers.
“Malhotra Ji’s impact is not just in the positions he held, but in the ethos he carried forward — of putting service before self, staying rooted in values, and embracing challenges with courage and perseverance,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s tribute was published across leading national dailies.