Political leaders from various parties in Bihar came together on Monday to commemorate the birth anniversary of former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, widely known as SuMo. The day was marked by tributes and reflections on his significant contributions to the state's politics and financial health.
Unveiling of a Lasting Tribute
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a life-size statue of the late leader at Rajendra Nagar in Patna, creating a permanent memorial. The ceremony saw participation from senior figures of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United), who collectively remembered SuMo's pivotal role, especially his stewardship of Bihar's finances as the state's finance minister.
Concurrently, the Sushil Kumar Modi Memorial Research Institute organized a separate function at the SK Memorial Hall to pay homage to the Padma Bhushan awardee, recognized as one of Bihar's most prominent BJP figures.
Leaders Recall a Legacy of Transparency and Fiscal Acumen
In a video message, BJP's national working president and Bankipore MLA, Nitin Nabin, paid his respects. He highlighted how Sushil Modi established a distinct space in Bihar's political landscape through a commitment to transparency in public life, a journey that began during the JP movement.
JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha remembered the former finance minister for his fiscal jurisprudence. "Your contributions, from opposing the Emergency to bringing Bihar out of darkness and into the light, will always be remembered," Jha stated.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary noted the long-standing collaborative work between Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi. He emphasized that as the leader of the opposition, SuMo effectively held the government accountable, and his financial management skills were extraordinary. Choudhary urged the people, particularly BJP workers, to strive towards fulfilling Sushil Modi's vision for Bihar's development, calling it a day to take a pledge.
BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi called upon everyone to resolve to carry forward SuMo's ideals. "If we can adopt even one of his qualities, it would be a great achievement and a true tribute to him," Saraogi remarked.
Widespread Tributes from Across the Spectrum
The commemorative events witnessed a broad gathering of dignitaries. The list included:
- Union Minister Giriraj Singh
- Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar
- Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh
- Several state ministers including Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Mangal Pandey, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Ram Kripal Yadav, Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Pramod Kumar
- MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Radha Mohan Singh
- Numerous MLAs and MLCs
- Late SuMo's wife, Jessie George
- Former assembly speaker Nand Kishore Yadav
- JD(U) national general secretary Manish Kumar Verma
- BJP organisational general secretary Bhikhu Bhai Dalsania
- Bihar BJP in-charge Vinod Tawde
This collective homage underscored the deep respect and admiration for Sushil Kumar Modi's enduring legacy in Bihar's public life.
