Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra’s name was associated with the foundation of every development work in Delhi.

“If you examine the foundation of any developmental work in Delhi, you will find Malhotraji’s name associated with it. He laid the foundation of the BJP in Delhi,” said Ms. Gupta.

The CM joined the prayer meeting at the Civic Centre organised in memory of Malhotra, a five-term Lok Sabha MP from Delhi, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93, after a brief illness.

The meet was also attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal, RSS Delhi prant pracharak Anil Agarwal, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, Rajya Sabha member Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, and several senior BJP leaders.

“This meeting is dedicated to a dynamic leader who inspired thousands of workers like me and helped them grow,” added Ms. Gupta.

Mr. Lal said that Malhotra’s vast political experience gave the BJP a new direction not only in Delhi but across the country. “Malhotraji inspired many in the RSS, Jan Sangh, the BJP, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, and also those in the field of sports,” he added.

Mr. Agarwal described Malhotra as a dedicated RSS worker and a symbol of simplicity and honesty.  Mr. Sachdeva said Malhotra earned respect even from political opponents, given his discipline and leadership.