Senior BJP leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Wednesday that he was battling cancer and will not campaign in the general elections.
“I’m battling cancer for the last six months. Now, I think, time has come to let people know about this. I would be unable to campaign in Lok Sabha elections. I’ve informed PM everything. Always grateful and dedicated to the country, Bihar and the party,” wrote Mr. Modi, 72, on X.
The leader, whose term as Rajya Sabha MP ended recently, was named as one of the BJP’s star campaigners in Bihar and as a member of its election manifesto committee. In February, when the BJP had announced names of party’s candidates from Bihar for the Rajya Sabha elections, Mr. Modi’s name was missing, surprising all.
Mr. Modi has been the face of the party in Bihar since long and was Deputy Chief Minister twice in NDA governments, holding the finance portfolio for a long time. He is close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and is said to have played an important role in Mr. Kumar’s latest comeback to the NDA in January.
“I hope you will soon join us in our work. You’ve always worked for the people,” BJP’s Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde said after Mr. Modi shared details about his health.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha expressed shock and wrote on his social media account: “I pray for his speedy recovery so that he gets fully active to benefit the party workers like me with his profound political and social understanding and rich experience.”
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and party leader Shivanand Tiwari wished Mr. Modi a speedy recovery.
Former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said Mr. Modi’s “ideals will inspire, encourage and energise every worker”.
