BJP veteran Vijay Kumar Malhotra dies at 94, leaders pay tribute

Oct, 1 2025

When Vijay Kumar Malhotra, senior BJP leader and former parliamentarian passed away on Tuesday morning in New Delhi, the nation felt the loss of one of its last living links to the Jana Sangh era.

He was announced dead at 6:00 AM, and within hours a steady stream of politicians, journalists and party workers gathered outside his modest residence on Lodhi Road. The outpouring of condolences spanned the political spectrum, underscoring how a figure once seen as a hard‑liner could still command respect across party lines.

A Life Rooted in the Jana Sangh

Born in 1930 in a modest family from what is now Uttar Pradesh, Malhotra joined the Jana Sangh in the early 1950s, drawn by its vision of a culturally unified India. He quickly rose through its ranks, serving as the party’s Delhi secretary during the turbulent 1960s.

"We were fighting a battle of ideas, not just votes," he once told a reporter in 1971. The Jana Sangh, founded in 1951, was a precursor to today’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Malhotra’s early activism helped lay the groundwork for the party’s later electoral successes.

When the Emergency was declared in 1975, Malhotra was among the few party workers who were detained without trial. He emerged from jail with a renewed determination, later playing a key role in the Janata Party coalition that ousted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1977.

Building the BJP’s Delhi Footprint

After the Jana Sangh merged into the BJP in 1980, Malhotra became the party’s chief strategist in the national capital. Over a span of three decades, he nurtured a cadre of grassroots workers who would become tomorrow’s legislators.

His most celebrated achievement came in the 1998 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, where the BJP surged from a marginal presence to winning 15 of the 70 seats. Analysts attribute the turnaround to his meticulous constituency mapping and relentless door‑to‑door campaigning.

Even after stepping down from formal party positions in 2005, he remained an informal advisor, often called upon by senior leaders to smooth intra‑party disputes. His counsel was credited with preventing several splits in the Delhi unit during the volatile 2013 elections.

Tributes from Across the Political Spectrum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a personal message on Twitter at 8:45 AM, writing, “The nation has lost a towering figure whose dedication shaped the BJP’s growth. Vijay Kumar Malhotra’s legacy will inspire future generations.”

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi remarked, “While we differ on ideology, we cannot deny his sincere commitment to public service.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the residence, offering a bouquet of marigolds and saying, “His work for Delhi’s development will be remembered by every citizen.”

Senior Congress stalwart Sonia Gandhi sent a handwritten note to Malhotra’s family, noting his role in “the democratic fabric of our nation.”

Even regional parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party sent representatives, highlighting the broad respect he commanded.

What His Passing Means for the Party

Within the BJP, his death marks the end of an era of leaders who directly experienced the Jana Sangh’s formative struggles. Political scientists warn that the loss of such living memory could affect the party’s ideological continuity.

"The party now relies more on written histories than personal anecdotes," says Dr. Meera Sharma, a professor of political science at Delhi University. "That can lead to a subtle shift in how policy narratives are framed."

However, younger leaders like Pooja Malhotra (no relation), a rising MP from North West Delhi, view the moment as an impetus to honor the legacy through concrete actions—especially in expanding party outreach to marginalized communities.

Looking Ahead: The BJP Without Its Old Guard

Analysts predict a gradual transition toward technocratic leadership, with less emphasis on the nostalgic symbolism of the Jana Sangh era. Yet, the party’s core principles—nationalism, cultural cohesion, and economic liberalism—remain anchored in the foundations laid by pioneers like Malhotra.

In a recent interview, the BJP’s national general secretary hinted that upcoming training modules for new cadres will feature a dedicated section on “Foundational Leaders,” ensuring that the stories of Malhotra and his peers stay alive in party lore.

As the BJP prepares for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, the challenge will be to balance reverence for its heritage with the demands of a rapidly changing electorate.

Background: The Jana Sangh and Its Evolution

The Jana Sangh was founded on 21 October 1951 by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. It advocated for a united India rooted in cultural nationalism. Over the next two decades, the party struggled to gain parliamentary foothold, often winning only a handful of seats.

In 1977, after the Emergency, the Jana Sangh merged with several other opposition groups to form the Janata Party, which briefly ruled India. When internal conflicts led to the Janata Party’s disintegration, former Jana Sangh members re‑established the BJP on 6 April 1980.

The BJP’s meteoric rise in the 1990s—culminating in the 1998 “National Democratic Alliance” government—can be traced back to the organizational groundwork laid by early activists like Malhotra. Their emphasis on disciplined cadre building, ideological training, and grassroots mobilization remains a hallmark of the party’s strategy.

Key Facts

• Age at death: 94 (some reports state 93)
• Date of death: 1 October 2025
• Location: Residence on Lodhi Road, New Delhi
• Political affiliation: Bharatiya Janata Party (originally Jana Sangh)
• Notable roles: Delhi BJP chief (1990‑2005), Parliamentarian (1991‑1996)