Who is Harsh Malhotra? BJP’s new Delhi chief and Union minister with deep roots in city politics

The Bharatiya Janata Party has named Harsh Malhotra as the new president of its Delhi unit, signalling a major organisational reshuffle in the capital ahead of upcoming political battles. The announcement comes amid growing speculation over changes within the Delhi BJP leadership structure.

Malhotra replaces Virendra Sachdeva, who had led the party’s Delhi organisation since 2023 and oversaw the BJP’s campaigns during both the Lok Sabha elections and the Delhi Assembly polls.

Currently serving as Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs in the Narendra Modi government, Harsh Malhotra is regarded as one of the BJP’s most experienced organisational leaders in Delhi.

Long political journey in Delhi BJP

According to the Hindustan Times, Harsh Malhotra has been associated with the BJP for more than three decades and has built his political career largely through grassroots organisational work and municipal politics in Delhi.

The 62-year-old leader is the son of veteran BJP politician Vijay Kumar Malhotra, a prominent face of the party in Delhi for several decades.

Malhotra first rose through local politics and was elected councillor from Welcome Colony in 2012. He later became mayor of the erstwhile East Delhi Municipal Corporation during 2015-16.

Over the years, he also served as Delhi BJP general secretary and remained actively involved in strengthening the party’s network across east Delhi.

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Rise to Parliament and Union cabinet

According to the Hindustan Times, a science graduate from University of Delhi’s Hansraj College, Malhotra entered national politics after winning the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections.

His victory paved the way for his induction into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Union Council of Ministers, where he currently holds responsibilities in the road transport and highways and corporate affairs ministries.

Within BJP circles, Malhotra is considered an organisationally disciplined leader with extensive experience in both civic administration and party management.

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Leadership change in Delhi BJP

According to the Hindustan Times, the outgoing Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva had taken charge as working president in 2022 after the resignation of former Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta following the party’s defeat in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections.

Sachdeva formally became Delhi BJP president in 2023 and led the party’s aggressive campaign against the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital.