Senior BJP Leader and Sushil Kumar Modi Passes Away at 72

Remembering the Legacy of a Political Stalwart: A Look Back at Sushil Kumar Modi’s Contributions to Bihar and Indian Politics

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, Sushil Kumar Modi, passed away in New Delhi on May 13 at the age of 72 after battling cancer. Survived by his wife Jessie George and two sons, Utkarsh Tathaghat and Akshay Amritanshu, Modi’s political journey was deeply intertwined with Bihar’s landscape.

Emerging from the JP Movement spearheaded by freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan, Modi became a pivotal figure in Bihar politics. His tenure as Deputy Chief Minister began in 2005 when Nitish Kumar assumed power in the state. Known for his astute financial acumen, Modi was hailed by Kumar as the “Bhamashah,” drawing parallels to the legendary strategist of Maharana Pratap Singh.

Modi’s multifaceted political career saw him traverse through four legislative bodies, including the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Bihar Assembly, and Legislative Council. His role as a bridge between the BJP and Janata Dal (United) bolstered Bihar’s political landscape.

In February 2024, Modi was not nominated by his party for the Rajya Sabha election. Subsequently, in April 2024, he disclosed his battle with cancer, precluding him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. Notably, Modi was instrumental in the formation of the second JD(U)-BJP government in July 2017, and his allegations against then Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav were pivotal in rupturing ties between Kumar and the RJD.

The news of Modi’s demise elicited condolences from political stalwarts across party lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lamented the loss of his longtime colleague and friend, acknowledging Sushil Modi’s pivotal role in BJP’s ascension in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remembered him as a stalwart of the JP movement and a trusted ally. Opposition leaders, including Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav, also expressed their grief, underscoring Modi’s influence across party lines.

Sushil Kumar Modi’s demise marks the end of an era in Bihar’s political landscape, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, astuteness, and unwavering commitment to public service.