Sushil Kumar Modi

Sushil Kumar Modi, born on January 5th, 1952, in Patna to Moti Lal Modi and Ratna Devi, was a prominent figure in Indian politics, notably affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His political journey traces back to the 1970s, when he emerged as a significant figure in student politics, serving as a Cabinet Member and General Secretary of the Patna University Students Union from 1973 to 1977. During this period, he actively participated in the Jayaprakash Narayan (J.P.) Movement of 1974, enduring arrests and confinement, including imprisonment during the Emergency period. Beyond Bihar, his activism extended to movements like the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement and the anti-foreign infiltration Assam Movement. Sushil Modi's association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since the 1960s showcased his commitment, holding various roles including Sangh Vistarak and Chief Instructor.

Transitioning into mainstream politics, Sushil Modi became increasingly involved with the BJP, serving as National Secretary, National Vice-President, and Bihar State President. His leadership within the BJP's National Executive since 1996 underscores his dedication to the party's growth. His political career saw him as a Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly for three terms from 1990 to 2004, where he served as Chief Whip and later as Leader of Opposition from March 1996 to March 2004. Additionally, he represented Bihar in the Fourteenth Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2005 and served as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the state government in 2000. His tenure in the Bihar Legislative Council, spanning from 2006 to 2020, included significant roles such as Deputy Chief Minister cum Finance Minister, and Chairperson of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers.

Furthermore, his contributions extended to the national level as a Member of the G.S.T. Council and later as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from December 2020. Unfortunately, he is suffering from cancer and will not campaign in the 2024 general elections.

His active participation in various legislative committees underscores his commitment to public service and policy development. Additionally, he has been appointed to prestigious bodies such as the Court of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the National Khadi and Village Industries Board, and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Cooperation.

Beyond politics, Sushil Modi has been a vocal crusader against corruption, initiating court-monitored inquiries into scams like the Fodder Scam and the Bitumen Scam that led to the arrest of several high-profile individuals.

He shared his life with his wife Prof. Dr. Jessie Sushil Modi and their two sons. With a successful career reflected in his financial standing, Sushil Modi was an influential figure in Indian politics, known for his integrity, activism, and dedication to public service.

On May 13, Sushil Modi passed away at Delhi's All-India Institute of Medical Sciences at 72. He had been undergoing cancer treatment and was receiving care in the intensive care unit at AIIMS for the past month.