PM Modi shared this picture with Sushil Modi.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Modi, who remained the prominent face of Bihar politics for five decades, is no more. On the 3rd of last month, he announced his retirement from active politics after giving information about having cancer. Died in Delhi on Monday night. Joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at the age of just 16. He remained an RSS member due to his immense loyalty towards the organization. In 1973, he became the General Secretary of Patna University Students Union. In the year 1973, he became a member of Bihar State Student Struggle Committee.
Also managed the readymade shop with his father.
When JP movement happened, Sushil Modi also jumped into it. The Congress government kept him in jail for 19 months. Joined Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in 1977. Also managed the readymade shop with his father for a few months. Meanwhile joined BJP. In 1990, BJP gave ticket from Patna Central Assembly constituency. Won the elections. Also became the Chief Whip. Became Leader of the Opposition in November 1996. When Nitish government was formed for seven days in 2000, he also became a minister. After this, he remained the leader of opposition till 2004. During this time, Sushil emerged as the voice of the public against the Lalu-Rabri government. In 2004, he became MP for the first time from Bhagalpur on BJP ticket.
Bihar remained the pivot of BJP for almost four decades.
In 2005, when the National Democratic Alliance government was formed under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi became the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Bihar. When the NDA government was formed in 2017, he again became the Deputy Chief Minister. While being the Deputy Chief Minister, he read the budget of Bihar 11 times. After this, again in 2020, when NDA government was formed, Sushil Modi was not made the Deputy CM. This decision of BJP surprised everyone. The party sent him to Rajya Sabha in 2020. Expert says that Sushil Modi was an important link between BJP and JDU in Bihar. Bihar remained the pivot of BJP for almost four decades.
PM Modi said – There was an invaluable contribution behind the rise of BJP.
After the demise of Sushil Modi, PM Narendra Modi shared the picture on social media and wrote that I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Sushil Modi ji, my valued colleague in the party and my friend for decades. His invaluable contribution has been behind the rise of BJP and its successes in Bihar. Strongly opposing the Emergency, he had carved a niche for himself in student politics. He was known as a very hardworking and friendly MLA. His understanding of subjects related to politics was very deep. He also did commendable work as an administrator. His active role in passing GST will always be remembered. My condolences are with his family and supporters in this hour of mourning.
