‘Bigger role’ likely for Modi aide in UP

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 27

Concerned over simmering “anger” against the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, the BJP appears to be considering a “bigger role” for former Gujarat-cadre IAS AK Sharma, a close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took voluntary retirement to join the saffron party a few months ago.

AK Sharma may get elevated

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• Former Gujarat-cadre IAS AK Sharma is believed to have met the Prime Minister earlier, further fuelling speculations of his elevation in the BJP and a possible Cabinet expansion
• A close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharma had been asked to manage the Covid situation in Varanasi

Move not going down well with CM

There are speculations in UP’s power circle that CM Yogi Adityanath may not be as open to the idea of a “bigger role” for Sharma, currently an MLC. However, given the criticism being faced by the ruling party, a Cabinet reshuffle is believed to be among the options.

Speculations are rife that the issue related to Sharma’s elevation and a possible Cabinet expansion was discussed on Sunday when top leaders of the BJP and the RSS met in Delhi to address concerns over the negative perception on Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath over the handling of the second Covid wave, sources say. Sharma is believed to have met the Prime Minister earlier, further fuelling the speculations, though leaders claim the meeting was regarding the Covid situation in Varanasi (PM’s Lok Sabha constituency). Modi had given the charge of Covid management in Varanasi to Sharma after the situation went out of control. Meanwhile, ground reports also suggest that Sharma did a “fairly good job” in the city reeling under the second wave.