Notwithstanding the spin doctoring to contrary, SuMo appears to be among a few sensible leaders in Bihar. For those not so well informed, he has quite efficiently managed finances of resources of state till recently as its DY CM and Finance Minister  . He would know which project to propose under which scheme to maximize central assistance and minimize state exchequer outgo, something where even most able of our bureaucrats has been found wanting. Mr Nitsih has already credited him and Mr Nand Kumar Yadav, paradoxically though, in public for ending corrupt MLA Fund scheme and replacing the same with better designed and governed Chief Minister Area development scheme. Mr. Modi has been quite innovative in raising resources as well. Had played his role aptly as head of State Finance Minister panel on GST.  Also, Bihar foundation has been his brain child which has also helped attract some interest in industrial development of Bihar through its Mumbai Chapter. Efficient and effective leaders can be judged only by well informed critics. I would urge that such critics do get in act of analyzing SuMo’s stint as Dy CM and Finance Minister of Bihar.

SoMo has making of a great administrator much like NaMo. This science college alumnus of heydays is much better than most other leader on the state firmament. It is a known fact that he was at the forefront of leading charge against Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, starting from infamous fodder scam. Antipathy of Lalu to SuMo runs so deep that it is seen to be believed. Same has been evident in one or two TV debates where two featured together. This lone crusader against the Jungle Raj even chose to be led by Mr Nitish Kumar, knowing the political realities of Bihar, so as to end the Jungle Raj.

Even during his stint at the helms of affair, he managed a perfect posture in public never crossing path with his accepted leader. Willingly or unwillingly, he played the ideal second fiddle to his chosen numero uno, much better than even Mr Advani could do to Vajpayee. Notwithstanding his own contribution to bringing the NDA government to power in Bihar, he chose to remain in background. While I may not be privy to things in private, however going by his public pronouncements and actions, I would have thought that Nitish could easily count SuMo as his most trusted support. Duo could work in perfect unison to rewrite history of modern Bihar. Unfortunately same has not happened. It seems power has gone through the head of Mr Kumar. I was surprised when Nitish went ahead undermining Sushil Modi’s position unabashedly. Only a person who has got perverse idealism could have meted out such a treatment to a friend in need. Society does not condone those who are opportunist and betray their friends of difficult times. Nitish would soon realise this.  He might even now be having a sense of his own follies in this regard.

Based on my own assessment on publicly available information, I consider Mr Sushil Kumar Modi as a great hope for Bihari Renaissance. I’m sure others will have access to other set of public and private information on this key player in Bihar Politics. It would be a great idea, if a more critical analysis of Mr Sushil Modi  as a public person is undertaken by various commentators. Due to lack of such critical analysis, we get to know very little about our leaders in state. Development of state is inter alia linked to how closely we analyze and examine our leaders.  Few other leaders like Dr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Mr Ravishankar Prasad also merit greater public scrutiny for their administrative, political and leadership qualities.

I view SuMo largely as a hardworking politician who has earned his stripes. He has not got it because of his caste or family credentials, unlike most others. By all known accounts, his integrity remains so far unquestioned even in this much maligned environment. He has come of age a leader, as a politician and has a credible administrative experience to showcase now.  Will this one of the underrated politician in caste cauldron that is Bihar, would finally come to fore and get his rightful place under the sun? Only time can tell.