Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, aged 72, passed away at Delhi AIIMS on Monday following his battle with cancer. Known for his close association with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Modi had disclosed his cancer diagnosis on April 3, announcing his withdrawal from the BJP’s Lok Sabha campaign. Despite previously being listed as a star campaigner for the party and a member of its election manifesto committee, Modi expressed his inability to participate in the elections due to his health condition.
Who was Sushil Kumar Modi?
Sushil Modi’s political journey began as a student activist at Patna University in 1973, where he served as the general-secretary of the Patna University Students’ Union. Over three decades, he held various political positions, including MLA, MLC, and member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He served as Bihar’s deputy CM from 2005 to 2013 and again from 2017 to 2020.
Modi was elected as an MLA from Patna Central constituency in 1990 and became the chief whip of the BJP legislature party. From 1996 to 2004, he served as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly. In 2004, he became a member of Lok Sabha from Bhagalpur. Later, he transitioned to the legislative council in 2005 and assumed the role of deputy chief minister alongside Nitish Kumar. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2020 and retired earlier this year.