Sushil Modi, former Bihar Deputy CM, passes away at 72

New Delhi: Former Bihar deputy Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Modi breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on Monday.

He had been diagnosed with cancer and had announced his unavailability last month. 

Modi, considered a close aide of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, had played a pivotal role in unearthing the fodder scam that led to the arrest of former Bihar CM and Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. 

Prime minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” at the passing of a friend and colleague. “He has played an invaluable role in the rise and success of BJP in Bihar. 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 also did a lot of commendable work as an administrator. His active role in the passage of GST will always be remembered. My condolences are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!”

Union home minister Amit Shah posted condolences on X that 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 backwards. 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,” Shah’s tweet read.

Party president JP Nadda, too, posted on X. “From the Vidhyarthi Parishad till now, we have worked together for the organization for a long time. Sushil Modi's entire life was dedicated to Bihar. His 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. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to the family members,” Nadda posted. 

Modi, who was considered the tallest leader of the party in Bihar for years, was born in 1952. He started his innings in politics as a student of the Patna University when Jay Prakash Narayan’s socialist movement was unfolding. He has been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for decades and had been part of the ABVP, too. 

Modi was also instrumental in the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and in 2011 was appointed the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers for its implementation. Throughout a long career in politics, Modi served as a member of the Bihar state Assembly, the Bihar state Council, Lok Sabha and finally, Rajya Sabha. Between 2005 and 2013 he served as the deputy CM of Bihar and was the state finance minister from 2017 to 2020. 

The news of him ailing with cancer broke on April 3 when Modi posted on X that he will be unable to campaign due to his ailment. Modi, who was suffering from throat cancer, was being treated for the last six months.