On Monday, PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to senior BJP leader and Delhi’s first Chief Executive Councillor, Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
He described him as a leader whose influence went far beyond the positions he held. PM Modi further added that his life stood as a symbol of dedication, courage, and values.
VK Malhotra passed away on 30 September at the age of 93 after receiving treatment at AIIMS for age-related illnesses.
Following his demise, the Prime Minister visited his residence to pay his respects and offer condolences to his family.
In a blog post, the Prime Minister described Malhotra as a man of unwavering principles and selfless service. He said Malhotra’s life embodied the core philosophy of the RSS.
“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. A glimpse of his life will make everyone understand the core ethos of the RSS, the Jana Sangh, and the BJP…courage in the face of adversity, service above self and a deep-rooted commitment to national and cultural values,” PM Modi stated.
Reflecting on his early life, PM Modi recalled, “The family of VK Malhotra Ji suffered the horrors of partition. The trauma and displacement did not make him bitter or inward-looking. Instead, he immersed himself in serving others. He found his calling in the ideology of the RSS and the Jana Sangh. Those were indeed very challenging times.”
PM Modi added that Malhotra supported thousands of displaced families as they rebuilt their lives.
“His fellow Karyakartas in those days included Madanlal Khurana Ji and Kidar Nath Sahni Ji. People like them and countless others were at the forefront of selfless service, which resonated with the people of Delhi,” he asserted.
The Prime Minister also remembered Malhotra’s 1999 Lok Sabha election victory over former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“It was a high-profile election, where he was pitted against an important Congress leader. The full might of the Congress ecosystem descended upon his South Delhi constituency, but Malhotra Ji never reduced the level of discourse,” he noted.
PM Modi further added, “He ran a positive campaign, ignoring vile attacks and won with over 50% of the vote! This victory was achieved due to Malhotra Ji’s strong connect on the ground.”
The PM further added that Vijay Kumar Malhotra skilfully nurtured close relationships with Karyakartas. He also understood the aspirations of the voters.
Highlighting his parliamentary career, the Prime Minister remarked that Malhotra’s speeches were always thoughtful and well-prepared.
PM Modi added that Malhotra served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition during UPA-1. His interventions in Parliament offered valuable lessons in political conduct.
“He effectively opposed the ineffective UPA Government, especially on its dismal track record of corruption and terrorism. During those days, I was serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and would often interact with Malhotra Ji, who was always curious to know about Gujarat’s development strides,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister described Malhotra as both a scholar and an institution builder.
“I learnt from his family about how he secured double promotions during his school years. He completed matriculation and graduation ahead of schedule. His Hindi proficiency meant that the task of translating Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s speeches to Hindi often came to him,” PM Modi emphasised.
PM Modi highlighted that one of Malhotra’s greatest qualities was his talent for institution building.
The Prime Minister described him as a key leader who founded and nurtured several organisations associated with the RSS.
“Through his efforts, many cultural, educational and social organisations found growth and mentorship. These institutions became nurseries of talent and service, carrying forward the vision of a self-reliant, value-driven society,” PM Modi remarked.
PM Modi drew attention to Malhotra’s role in promoting sports.
“Archery was his great passion and he served as the President of the Archery Association of India for several decades. Under his leadership, Indian archery gained global recognition and he tirelessly worked to provide athletes with platforms and opportunities. His role in sports administration reflected the same traits he displayed in public life: dedication, organisational ability and the pursuit of excellence,” he noted.
“Shri VK Malhotra Ji’s impact is not just in the positions he held, but in the ethos, he carried forward… of putting service before self, of staying rooted in values and of embracing challenges with courage and perseverance. He was the ideal Party man, never speaking anything that could embarrass our Karyakartas or ideology,” PM Modi further added.
The Prime Minister concluded by recalling his recent remarks at the inauguration of the new Delhi BJP headquarters. On that occasion, he fondly remembered Malhotra.
“A few days ago, I was at the programme to inaugurate the new Headquarters of the Delhi BJP, where I fondly recalled Shri VK Malhotra Ji. He was thrilled when the BJP formed the Government in Delhi earlier this year after over three decades and had immense expectations, which we are committed to fulfilling for our beloved national capital. May his life and accomplishments continue to remain a role model for generations of public servants in the times to come,” he said.
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