When Politics Met Love: The Story of Late Sushil Modi and Jessie George

The year was 1986, the date April 13, and the venue was the RSS ground in Patna, Bihar’s capital. The gathering that day was extraordinary—not because of a political rally or ideological convention, but because a young student leader named Sushil Kumar Modi was getting married.

Present at the ceremony were towering figures of Indian public life, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhaurao Deoras, and several senior leaders from the RSS and the BJP. Observing the occasion, Vajpayee famously remarked, “This is a union of the North and the South.”

Early Life and the JP Movement

Sushil Kumar Modi was born on January 5, 1952, into a Marwari family in Patna. His association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) began during his school years. As a college student, he entered student politics and was elected General Secretary of the Patna University Students’ Union in 1973.

In 1974, when Jayaprakash Narayan launched a mass movement against the Indira Gandhi government, Modi was pursuing an MSc at Patna University. He left his studies midway to join the movement, during which he was imprisoned five times, spending a total of 19 months in jail.

Following the JP Movement, from 1977 onwards, Modi held various responsibilities within the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

A Man Who Swore Never to Marry

For years, Sushil Modi had resolved never to marry, choosing instead to dedicate his life to social service. That resolve, however, changed in October 1985 during an ordinary train journey.

While traveling from Mumbai to Patna, Modi struck up a conversation with a woman traveling on the berth above him. She was headed to Jammu. Her demeanor suggested a South Indian background, which turned out to be correct. Her name was Jessie George, a Malayali from Kerala, raised in Mumbai.

Jessie was a schoolteacher and a bird-watching enthusiast traveling for a programme in Jammu. Over a 30–35 hour journey, the two formed a bond. They exchanged addresses, began writing letters, and met whenever Modi visited Mumbai for student organization work.

Within ten months, the man who had vowed lifelong celibacy decided to marry.

An Inter-Faith Wedding with a Political Undertone

The marriage was inter-faith and inter-regional, but both families accepted the union. Sushil Modi personally wrote to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, informing him of the nature of the marriage and requesting his blessings.

Vajpayee, who was not an MP at the time and did not receive travel concessions, paid for his flight to Patna himself—an act Modi later described as deeply moving.

The wedding ceremony lasted less than an hour. Addressing the gathering afterward, Vajpayee said:

> “This is a unique moment. The bride is from Kerala, a land of ancient spiritual traditions, and Patliputra is connected to the Himalayas. This truly is a union of North and South.”

It was during the wedding itself that Vajpayee extended an invitation to Modi to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party, hinting that the time had come for him to step beyond student politics.

From Business Failure to Electoral Success

After marriage, Modi temporarily reduced his involvement with ABVP and chose to delay active electoral politics. In 1987, he took a loan of around ₹70,000 and opened a computer institute, which shut down within a few months.

In 1990, he entered electoral politics, contesting the Bihar Assembly elections from Patna Central—and won.

Marriage Amid Political Demands

Jessie, who had grown up in Mumbai’s structured work culture, found political life demanding. In interviews, she later recalled frequent disagreements over Modi’s constant meetings—even on weekends.

Once, when Modi promised not to go out, he instead called all his colleagues home for a meeting, leaving Jessie to manage tea and snacks throughout the day. After that, she insisted meetings be held outside the home.

On one occasion, she threatened to leave in anger. Modi replied calmly, “I won’t leave you. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

Controversy and Public Stand

In 2015, during a political controversy, allegations were made against Jessie regarding her academic credentials while she was serving as Principal of the Women’s Training College, Patna University. Modi immediately demanded a public apology from the accuser and warned of legal action. Jessie later filed a defamation case, asserting her integrity.

Facing Illness Together

In November 2023, Sushil Kumar Modi was diagnosed with cancer. He told his wife simply, “We will fight this.” He passed away on May 13, 2024.

Speaking at a later event, Jessie said he never let her feel the gravity of his condition. “It was only days after he was gone that the emptiness truly sank in,” she said.

The couple has two sons. When Modi was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, Jessie accepted the honour on his behalf, calling it a healing gesture for his supporters.

On May 13, 2025, Modi’s first death anniversary was observed in Patna. When asked whether she might enter politics, Jessie responded:

“I can contest elections, but that decision rests with the BJP. I will respect whatever the party decides.”

Now retired from her academic career, speculation continues about her possible entry into active politics—something she consciously avoided during her husband’s lifetime.

Today special programme was organised at Shri Krishna Memorial Hall, Patna, to mark the birth anniversary of late BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. On the occasion, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paid floral tribute to Modi’s portrait and remembered the long political journey they shared together.

During the commemorative event, Jessie Modi, wife of the late leader, shared her emotions and recalled key aspects of Sushil Modi’s political life and working style. In her address, she also spoke about an important moment related to Nitish Kumar’s return to the NDA, offering insights from behind the scenes.

Jessie Modi said she was not accustomed to delivering political speeches, but felt it was important to speak about what truly mattered most in Sushil Modi’s life. She emphasised that party workers always came first for him. Whether in the party or in government, his constant concern was how to strengthen the organisation and take the BJP forward.
She recalled that Sushil Modi listened carefully to everyone he met, noted down key points immediately, and followed up on issues without delay.

According to her, this habit set him apart from others. She further said that even assistants working with him rarely had time to sit, as the entire team remained engaged around the clock. Jessie Modi highlighted that Sushil Modi’s commitment to party work and public welfare was so deep that he rarely prioritised personal comfort, choosing instead to dedicate himself fully to organisational and public service responsibilities.