Who is Harsh Malhotra, BJP's new Delhi chief

In a significant organisational reshuffle ahead of key political and civic activities in the National Capital, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appointed Union Minister and East Delhi MP Harsh Malhotra as the new president of its Delhi unit, replacing Virendra Sachdeva.

The appointment, announced by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, came into immediate effect and is being viewed as part of the party’s strategy to further strengthen its organisational structure in Delhi following its return to power in the city after more than two decades.

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A seasoned BJP leader with over three decades of organisational and political experience, the 62-year-old currently serving as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government.

Malhotra was elected to the Lok Sabha from East Delhi in the 2024 General Election after defeating AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar.

Born in 1964, Malhotra belongs to the Punjabi community, which has a sizeable presence in East Delhi. He completed his BSc from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and later earned an LLB degree from Delhi University in 1987.

His political journey began in 1984 when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP’s youth wing. Over the years, he steadily rose through the organisational ranks, serving as mandal president, district secretary and district president before becoming one of the general secretaries of the Delhi BJP.

Malhotra entered electoral politics in 2012 after being elected councillor from the Welcome ward in the erstwhile East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). In 2015, he became Mayor of the EDMC and also chaired the corporation’s education committee for three years.

During his tenure in the civic body, he launched the “Suposhan” programme aimed at addressing malnutrition among children studying in municipal schools. The initiative benefited nearly 60,000 students across hundreds of schools in East Delhi.

Apart from politics, Malhotra has also been associated with several social and trade organisations. He is the president of the Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti, an NGO working to spread awareness about organ donation. He is also linked to the printing industry and has served as president of the Delhi Printers Association and joint secretary of the All India Federation of Master Printers.

Known for his organisational skills and grass-roots connect in East Delhi, Malhotra played an active role in the BJP’s campaigns during the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the 2025 Delhi Assembly poll.

Unlike his predecessor Virendra Sachdeva, who primarily held organisational responsibilities, Malhotra brings with him both administrative and electoral experience as a sitting MP and Union Minister. Political observers believe this could further strengthen his position within the party hierarchy in Delhi. Meanwhile, party sources indicated that Sachdeva may be accommodated in the team of BJP national president Nitin Nabin in recognition of his role during the Delhi Assembly election.