Former deputy CM of Bihar Sushil Modi passes away at 72
PTC News Desk: Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi passed away on Monday evening at Delhi's All-India Institute of Medical Sciences after battling cancer. Modi, aged 72, had been admitted to the intensive care unit of AIIMS for the past month.
Once a prominent face of the BJP in Bihar, Sushil Modi had withdrawn from the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections due to his health issues, as he announced via social media on April 3. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he disclosed, "I have been battling cancer for the last 6 months. Now I feel that the time has come to tell people. I will not be able to do anything in the Lok Sabha elections. I have told everything to the PM. Always grateful and always dedicated to the country, Bihar and the party."
His absence from the political landscape was anticipated to have a significant impact, especially in Bihar, where he had garnered considerable influence over three decades of dedicated service to the BJP. Between 2005 and 2020, spanning two terms, he had served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar under Nitish Kumar.
Following the news of his demise, condolences poured in from senior BJP leaders including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Amit Shah expressed his sorrow, stating, "I am saddened by the news of the demise of our senior leader Sushil Kumar Modi ji.
Today Bihar has lost a great pioneer of politics forever. From ABVP to BJP, Sushil ji has adorned many important positions in the organization and government. His politics was dedicated to the interests of the poor and the backward. The void that has emerged in Bihar politics due to his demise cannot be filled for a long time.
In this hour of grief, the entire BJP stands with his bereaved family. May God give a place to the departed soul in his lotus feet. Om Shanti Shanti."
Similarly, JP Nadda, the BJP chief, paid tribute to Sushil Modi's contributions, stating, "The news of the demise of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Sushil Modi ji is 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."
Other political figures, including former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and political rival Tejashwi Yadav, also expressed their condolences.
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress, joined in mourning Sushil Modi's demise, stating, "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."
Tejashwi Yadav, who had been on opposing ends of the political spectrum from Sushil Modi, also shared his condolences, saying, "Deeply saddened to hear the news of the untimely demise of respected Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, our guardian, struggling and hardworking leader."
- With inputs from agencies
