Senior BJP leader and former Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi dies

He was diagnosed with cancer in April this year

Senior BJP leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi passed away at the age of 72 on Monday, said the Bihar unit of BJP.

बिहार के पूर्व उप मुख्यमंत्री व पूर्व राज्यसभा सांसद श्री सुशील कुमार मोदी जी के निधन की खबर से भाजपा परिवार अत्यंत दुखी है। हमने एक बड़े सेनानी को खो दिया। इसकी भरपाई कभी नहीं हो सकती।

यह बिहार और पूरे भाजपा परिवार के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है।

ॐ शांति शांति! pic.twitter.com/NHFOjhNN8r

— BJP Bihar (@BJP4Bihar) May 13, 2024

Modi had in April this year revealed that he was suffering from cancer and that he would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to his poor health.

"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," the former Rajya Sabha MP posted on X.

His mortal remains will be brought to his residence in Patna's Rajendra Nagar area on Tuesday (May 14). The last rites will be performed later in the day.

PM Modi, other leaders mourn Sushil Kumar Modi

Politicians across party lines mourned the stalwart leader, once the BJP's best-known face in Bihar. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited him for the rise and success of BJP in Bihar. He said, "I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Sushil Modi ji, my valuable colleague in the party and my friend for decades. He has played an invaluable role in the rise and success of BJP in Bihar. "

पार्टी में अपने मूल्यवान सहयोगी और दशकों से मेरे मित्र रहे सुशील मोदी जी के असामयिक निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। बिहार में भाजपा के उत्थान और उसकी सफलताओं के पीछे उनका अमूल्य योगदान रहा है। आपातकाल का पुरजोर विरोध करते हुए, उन्होंने छात्र राजनीति से अपनी एक अलग पहचान बनाई थी। वे… pic.twitter.com/160Bfbt72n

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Bihar has lost a great pioneer of politics forever. "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,' read a rough translation of the post by Shah.

हमारे वरिष्ठ नेता सुशील कुमार मोदी जी के निधन की सूचना से आहत हूँ। आज बिहार ने राजनीति के एक महान पुरोधा को हमेशा के लिए खो दिया। ABVP से भाजपा तक सुशील जी ने संगठन व सरकार में कई महत्त्वपूर्ण पदों को सुशोभित किया। उनकी राजनीति गरीबों व पिछड़ों के हितों के लिए समर्पित रही। उनके…

— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) May 13, 2024

Leader of the Opposition in Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav remembered the former deputy chief minister of Bihar as a "struggling and hardworking leader". 

बिहार के पूर्व उपमुख्यमंत्री, हमारे अभिभावक, संघर्षशील एवं कर्मठ नेता आदरणीय श्री सुशील कुमार मोदी जी के असामयिक निधन की खबर सुन अत्यंत व्यथित हूँ। ईश्वर दिवगंत आत्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान तथा परिजनों व शुभचिंतकों को दुख की इस घड़ी में सम्बल प्रदान करे। ॐ शांति ॐ

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 13, 2024

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief also paid her tributes. Taking to X platform, she said, "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."