Why AK Sharma’s name is doing the rounds in UP politics

Arvind Kumar Sharma, the retired bureaucrat from Gujarat who jumped in UP politics in June last year is expected to grab a major role in Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet this time. His name is floating in the political circles for the position of Deputy Chief Minister of UP, as the incumbent Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya lost his assembly contest from Sirathu seat this time, against Samajwadi Party’s Pallavi Patel. Though Maurya is still a member of UP’s Legislative council, his deputy Chief Ministership can be in jeopardy this time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 20, 2022 held a meeting with top BJP leadership over the government formation in UP, Goa and Manipur. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. As the BJP had a landslide victory in UP elections 2022, winning 273 seats with its allies, the cabinet is also expected to witness a big churn this time.

The PM was informed of the decisions being taken by the state leaders in government formation. The most highly anticipated decision is regarding UP, where the cabinet is expected to see some new entrants.

CM Yogi Adityanath is also reported to have met top BJP leadership several times regarding government formation in UP. One of the big questions that remains ahead of March 25, 2022 – when Adityanath swears in for the second time as CM, is who will be Deputy CM. Will it be Keshav Prasad Maurya, or AK Sharma or both.  

AK Sharma is also UP BJP’s Vice President and an MLC. Before heading into politics, he was the Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises.

But the big question is why is his name so discussed despite him having no political experience.

Here are the answers:

1. AN EXPERIENCED BUREAUCRAT                                                                                                            

Sharma is a 1988 IAS batch officer who has been working with PM Modi since 2001. He was also the CEO of Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board and has also managed multiple Vibrant Gujarat summits. In 2014, he moved to the PMO as Joint Secretary when Narendra Modi became the PM. In 2017, he moved as the Additional Secretary. In 2019, he was entrusted with the charge of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises.

2. EARNED PRAISE FROM PM DURING SECOND WAVE

Sharma earned laurels from PM Modi on his smart handling of covid situation in Varanasi. Varanasi is also PM’s parliamentary constituency and in such case, the responsibility of curbing the exploding Covid cases in Varanasi was given to Sharma. The moment, it was declared that second-wave has hit the country, Modi sent his trusted man Sharma to the rescue mission.

Sharma landed in Varanasi on April 13, 2022 and he swung into action within no time. He effectively brought down the daily Covid-19 count from 1000 cases to 300. He set up a 24/7 Covid Center control room with 20 dedicated phone lines.  Under his leadership, the Kashi COVID Response center became the hub of coordination.

3. MODI’S MAN FRIDAY

AK Sharma is the go-to man for PM Modi. PM’s attempts to install as a Deputy CM in Yogi Adityanath's government might have failed last time but this time he can have a seat. Plus, there were also reports that UP might have three Deputy Chief Ministers this time. In case, Maurya and Dinesh Sharma are retained, AK Sharma can still be accommodated as Deputy Chief Minister.

4. A FAILED ATTEMPT

In June last year, AK Sharma was sent in to be accommodated in Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet. But Adityanath registered his strongest criticism of this decision. It was said that Sharma was sent by the Modi-Shah duo in Lucknow to change guards as there was considerable resentment against Adityanath by his own party men.

But Adityanath ensured that Sharma was kept out of the cabinet. He did not even give in to the cajoling of RSS Deputy National Head Dattatreya Hosabale, BJP National Organization secretary BL Santhosh and Party’s UP in-charge Radha Mohan Singh. It was also reported that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had backed Adityanath in his quest to keep Sharma out.

Since Sharma was a trusted bureaucrat of PM, Adityanath also didn’t want New Delhi’s influence in his governance.