Sushil Kumar Modi, Ex-Bihar Deputy CM Who Was Battling Cancer, Dies At 72

Sushil Kumar Modi, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and ex-Rajya Sabha MP, passed away on Monday at the age of 72 after battling cancer. The veteran politician’s demise was announced by the Bihar unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Sushil Modi ji, my valuable colleague in the party and my friend for decades. He has played an invaluable role in the rise and success of BJP in Bihar,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on the microblogging website X. “Strongly opposing the Emergency, he made a name for himself in student politics. He was known as a very hardworking and sociable MLA. He had a deep understanding of the issues related to politics,” he added.

‘Life dedicated to Bihar’

Under the BJP, Sushil Kumar Modi served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He was a former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar as well as the Finance Minister of Bihar from 2005 to 2013 and from 2017 to 2020. He was also a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Soon after the news of the BJP leader’s death was announced, messages of condolence started pouring in.

BJP National President JP Nadda said the news of the demise of the senior party leader was “extremely sad.” “From the Vidhyarthi Parishad till now, we have worked together for the organization for a long time. Sushil Modi ji’s entire life was dedicated to Bihar. Sushil Modi ji’s efforts have been very helpful in bringing Bihar out of jungle raj and putting it on the path of development. His absence is an irreparable loss for countless workers,” he said in a post on X.

‘Loss for Bihar’

Other senior BJP leaders and Union Ministers also expressed grief.  Nitin Gadkari tweeted his “heartfelt tribute to the late BJP leader. “The demise of Sushil Kumar is an irreparable loss for Bihar and the country. I have personally worked with Sushil since the days of the Vidhyarthi Parishad. Sushil will always be remembered as a leader dedicated to his ideology. He has made a significant contribution in strengthening the party and the organisation in Bihar,” he said.

“I’m shocked & deeply saddened by the demise of senior BJP leader Shri Sushil Kumar Modi ji, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. We had worked together closely for a long time. He will be remembered forever. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” Kiren Rijiju said. BJP’s political opponents also paid tribute to the senior leader.

“We received the sad news of the demise of our friend brother Sushil Modi from the time of Patna University Students Union, i.e. for the last 51-52 years. He was a combative, dedicated social and political person. May God grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear the loss,” RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav. In a post on X, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Sorry to hear about the sad demise of Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends. May the departed soul rest in peace.”

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