Dinesh Sharma
Dinesh Sharma (born 12 January 1964) is an Indian politician, professor and Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing Uttar Pradesh. A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he served as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2017 to 2022 and previously served as the Mayor of Lucknow.
Sharma has held several organisational positions within the BJP and began his political career through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organisation associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He later served as state president of the BJP's youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.
His political abilities were recognised by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sharma was elected Mayor of Lucknow in 2006 and was re-elected in 2012. In 2014, he became a National Vice-President of the BJP following his contribution to the party's performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
In March 2017, Sharma was appointed one of the two Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh. He was assigned portfolios including Higher and Secondary Education, Science and Technology, and Electronics and Information Technology. He was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council in September 2017.
In 2022, Sharma was replaced as Deputy Chief Minister by Brajesh Pathak. In 2023, he was selected by the BJP as its candidate for a Rajya Sabha by-election from Uttar Pradesh. He won the election unopposed and became a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
Early life and education
Dinesh Sharma was born on 12 January 1964. He pursued his higher education at the University of Lucknow, where he subsequently developed an academic career.
Academic career
Sharma joined the University of Lucknow in 1988. He served as a professor in the university's Department of Commerce. His academic background and experience as a professor remained an important part of his professional career alongside his political activities.
Political career
Early political career
Sharma began his political career through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He subsequently became involved in the organisational activities of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He was later appointed state president of the BJP's youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. His political abilities attracted the attention of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Mayor of Lucknow
Sharma was elected Mayor of Lucknow in 2006. He subsequently contested the mayoral election again in 2012 and defeated his nearest rival, Neeraj Bora of the Indian National Congress, by more than 171,000 votes.
His tenure as mayor established him as a prominent BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh and contributed to his rise within the party organisation.
BJP National Vice-President
On 16 August 2014, Sharma became a National Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. His appointment followed his contribution to the BJP's success in the 2014 Indian general election.
Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
On 19 March 2017, Sharma was appointed one of the two Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh. At the time of his appointment, he was not an elected member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
On 9 September 2017, he was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, the upper house of the state legislature.
As Deputy Chief Minister, Sharma was allocated several important portfolios, including Higher and Secondary Education, Science and Technology, and Electronics and Information Technology.
He served as Deputy Chief Minister until March 2022, when he was replaced by Brajesh Pathak following the formation of the next Uttar Pradesh government.
Rajya Sabha
In 2023, Sharma was named the BJP candidate for a by-election to a Rajya Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh. He won the election unopposed and subsequently became a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
Political affiliations and organisational roles
Sharma has been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party throughout his political career. Before holding major constitutional offices, he worked through the party's student and youth organisations.
His political career has included leadership roles in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and the BJP's national organisation.
Academic and political profile
Sharma's career combines academic experience with political leadership. Before entering full-time political life, he worked as a professor in the Commerce Department of the University of Lucknow. His subsequent career included municipal administration as Mayor of Lucknow, organisational responsibilities within the BJP, service as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and membership of the Rajya Sabha.