BJP names former IAS officer AK Sharma its MLC candidate in Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi: Former IAS officer Arvind Kumar Sharma, considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was on Friday named BJP's candidate for the upcoming legislative council polls in Uttar Pradesh.
Sharma had joined the BJP on Thursday, days after he opted for voluntary retirement from the IAS.
There is a strong possibility that Sharma after his election as a legislator will be given a key position in the state government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, sources have said.
A Gujarat cadre officer hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Sharma had long been one of the trusted bureaucrats of Modi since his tenure as Gujarat chief minister.
He also served in key positions in the PMO after Modi became prime minister in 2014.
Besides Sharma, the BJP also named Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, its state president Swatantra Dev Sing and Lakshman Prasad Acharya as its candidates for the polls.
Polling for 12 legislative council seats in Uttar Pradesh will be held on January 28.
In the 100-member UP Legislative Council, the SP has 55 MLCs, BJP has 25 MLCs, BSP has eight MLCs, Congress and 'Nirdaliye Samooh' have two MLCs each and Apna Dal (S) and 'Shikshak Dal' have one MLC each. There are three independent MLCs and three seats are vacant.
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Civil services coaching teacher Avadh Ojha joins AAP
New Delhi, Dec 2: Civil services coaching teacher and motivational speaker Avadh Ojha joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday in the presence of party chief Arvind Kejriwal and senior leader Manish Sisodia.
Ojha said he is aligned with the party's ideology focused on the future of children and termed the development of education his biggest ambition.
"Education is a medium that forms the soul of our families, the fabric of our society, and the bedrock of our nation. All great nations across the world have had education as a cornerstone of their progress," Ojha said after joining the party.
"I want to thank Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for giving me a chance to work in the field of education in politics," he added.
AAP chief Kejriwal said that Ojha's joining the party will strengthen its efforts to improve the education system.
“Whenever we welcome a new leader into the AAP, we often say that their presence will strengthen the party. Today, I would like to say that Avadh Ojha’s entry into politics will strengthen the entire education system in the country," Kejriwal said.
The AAP has been at the forefront of revolutionary work in the education sector, and through this platform, Ojha’s contribution to education will further empower the nation, and together, we will work to fulfil Baba Saheb’s dreams, the former Delhi chief minister added.
Speaking on the occasion, Sisodia said it was a special day as Ojha, who has been doing good work in education, joined the AAP.
"He has not only inspired millions of youth but has also transformed their lives through his efforts. Additionally, the impactful work he has done through various mediums reflects his stature as a great teacher," Sisodia said.
Ojha began his teaching career in 2005, specializing in History, and holds an array of academic qualifications, including MA in Hindi Literature, LLB, MPhil, and PhD in Hindi Literature, an official statement of AAP said.
Delhi assembly elections are likely to be held in February next year. The ruling AAP, which won 62 of 70 seats in 2020, is eyeing a third consecutive term.
