• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Sushil Kumar Modi, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, died on Monday at the age of 72 after battling cancer for more than six months. Modi had earlier announced that he would not participate in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections due to his struggle with cancer. A Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar, Modi was one the most influential Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in the state. Known for his excellent oratory skills, organisational acumen and political manoeuvrability, he served in various positions in state as well as central government.

Modi served as Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister from 2005 to 2013 in the earlier Nitish Kumar government. He also worked as a Finance Minister from 2017 to 2020 in the state. A dedicated member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh throughout his life, he also chaired the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers for the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) in July 2011.

Sushil Kumar Modi: A BJP, RSS Stalwart

Sushil Kumar Modi, a seasoned politician from Bihar, started his party political journey in 1990 by winning the Patna Central Assembly seat, later renamed Kumhrar. His leadership roles in the BJP Bihar Legislature Party included Chief Whip and Leader of the Opposition from 1990 to 2004. He gained prominence for filing the Public Interest Litigation against Lalu Prasad Yadav, exposing the infamous Fodder Scam.

ALSO READ: Sushil Modi Passes Away At 72; Political Leaders Pour Condolences

Elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004, he became known for his role in Bihar's governance, serving as Deputy Chief Minister for over a decade. His political acumen led to the downfall of the JDU-RJD Grand Alliance government in 2017. Renowned for his partnership with Nitish Kumar, they're often dubbed the "Ram-Laxman ki jodi" in the political parlance of Bihar. Modi was later elected as a Rajya Sabha member on December 7, 2020 from Bihar.

Sushil Kumar Modi: From Student Union To Deputy CM

Sushil Kumar Modi's journey in politics began as a student leader at Patna University. Rising through the ranks, he held key positions such as General Secretary of the Patna University Students' Union in 1973, even as his political rival Lalu Prasad Yadav led as Union President. In 1974, he joined the Bihar Pradesh Chaatra Sangharsh Samiti, pivotal in the renowned Bihar Student's Movement.

ALSO READ: Sushil Modi Death: Veteran BJP Leader, Former Bihar Dy CM Dies Aged 72; PM Modi Expresses Grief

Modi's activism led to his multiple arrests during the JP Movement and the Emergency era. Post-Emergency, he assumed roles in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), fervently opposing the declaration of Urdu as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh's second language and championing the cause against foreign infiltration from Bangladesh along Bihar's border.