Senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi made a heartfelt revelation on Wednesday, disclosing that he has been battling cancer for the past six months. As a consequence, he has excused himself from participating in the Lok Sabha poll campaign and withdrawn from the party’s election manifesto committee.
“I have been battling cancer for the past six months and felt that it is now time to tell the people about it. I will not be able to do anything in the Lok Sabha polls. I have told everything to the Prime Minister. Always grateful and dedicated to the nation, Bihar and the party,” Sushil, 72, posted on X.
Sushil’s announcement comes just a day after his Rajya Sabha tenure concluded. Despite being overlooked for reelection to the Upper House during the recent polls for vacancies from Bihar, he was appointed to the BJP’s 27-member Lok Sabha election manifesto committee, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. However, his absence from any legislative or parliamentary body further solidified his sidelining in the party, which began following the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections.
Sources close to Sushil revealed that he is battling throat cancer, which has metastasized to other parts of his body, including the lungs, making it difficult for him to speak.
Having played a crucial role in bringing the BJP to power in Bihar as part of the NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Sushil served as deputy chief minister and finance minister for around 11 years. His close association with Nitish earned him the nickname “Lakshman” to Nitish’s “Ram” in Bihar politics.
However, his friendship with Nitish, coupled with his stronghold in the party in Bihar, drew the ire of several senior BJP leaders who accused him of favoring Nitish’s interests over the party’s. Moreover, his public endorsement of Nitish as “PM material” during Narendra Modi’s rise in the BJP ranks did not sit well with the central leadership, ultimately leading to his sidelining after the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections.
Sushil, known for his acumen in financial matters, played a pivotal role in steering Bihar through financial challenges during his tenure as deputy chief minister-cum-finance minister. His expertise led to his appointment as the chairman of the empowered committee of state finance ministers on GST in 2011 during the UPA rule at the Centre.
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