๐ง๐ผ Who is Shrikant Sharma?
Shrikant Sharma (born July 1, 1970) is an Indian politician representing the Mathura constituency in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he served two consecutive terms—the 17th (2017–2022) and current 18th assemblies. Born in Govardhan, Mathura, Sharma earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Delhi University (Wikipedia).
Political Journey
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MLA from Mathura
First elected in March 2017, he unseated veteran Pradeep Mathur, earning a historic margin of 101,161 votes. In his re-election in 2022, he widened this margin to 109,803 votes—securing nearly 60% of the votes—a testament to his popularity and political influence (Wikipedia). -
Energy Minister in Yogi Adityanath Cabinet (2017–2022)
As UP’s Energy Minister, Sharma spearheaded major reforms: -
Organizational Role in BJP
Beyond governance, he served as a National Secretary of the BJP, playing an influential role in party strategy and coordination (Wikipedia).
๐ข Personal Life & Background
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Full Name: Shrikant Sharma
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Birth: July 1, 1970, in Govardhan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh (Wikipedia)
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Family: Married to Shalini Sharma, with two sons (Wikipedia)
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Education: BA (Political Science), Delhi University (1983) (MyNeta)
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Profession: Initially in business; transitioned to full-time politics and governance
Assets & Affidavit Snapshot (2022)
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Self-declared assets: ₹1.227 crore
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Spouse's assets: ~₹31 lakh
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No criminal record declared (MyNeta).
๐️ Recent News & Controversies
1. Verbal Attacks on Opposition
In April 2023, Sharma openly criticized the Congress party, branding it a "big dirty drain of corruption", and classified regional rivals (SP, BSP, RLD) as smaller drains pouring into it (The Hawk). He also emphasized the sanctity of the Ram temple as a matter of faith, not electioneering (The Hawk).
2. EPF Scam Allegations & Dubai Visit
In 2019, Congress leaders accused him of visiting Dubai in connection with the Rs 2,600 crore UPPCL EPF fund allocation scandal involving Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL). Sharma denied the trip, stating he’d never traveled abroad, and termed the allegations politically motivated (www.ndtv.com).
3. Defamation Case Victory
In 2023, a court sentenced former UP Congress president Ajay Kumar alias Lallu to one year in jail (plus ₹10,000 fine) for defaming Sharma over the EPF matter—rejecting Lallu’s probation plea and reinforcing Sharma’s clean image (The Times of India).
4. Public Fallout
During a visit to Govardhan in 2022, Sharma reportedly faced public ire—some video footage shows him being "chased by the crowd" according to local media (Facebook).
๐ Performance & Governance
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Attendance & Legislative Participation:
Formal attendance data isn’t available (ministers traditionally don’t sign in), but he's acknowledged for representing Mathura effectively in assembly debates (PRS Legislative Research). -
Consumer-Centric Initiatives:
The 1912 Electricity Helpline and consistent push for uninterrupted power have been key consumer-focused achievements.
๐ก Insights & Style
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Communication Style:
Known for sharp rhetoric against the opposition and strong promotion of BJP ideology—he draws clear ideological lines, calling out Congress, while reinforcing developmental narratives like the "Gujarat model". -
Outreach & Social Media:
Active on X and Instagram, he shares updates on constituency events and religious gatherings (e.g., Guru Purnima rituals at Govardhan) (www.ndtv.com, Wikipedia, YouTube). -
Constituency Focus:
Prioritizes energy development, rural electrification, religious tourism, and cultural projects—bolstering Mathura's socio-economic profile, especially around pilgrimage sites.
๐ Recent Coverage Snapshot
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Firstpost highlights his role in installing power infrastructure and his ongoing criticisms of opposition unity and farmer issues (Firstpost).
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IndiaTV News regularly profiles his constituency visits and local initiatives (India TV News).
๐ Top Interesting Facts
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Sharma launched the 1912 Electricity Helpline for UP consumers during his ministerial term.
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Historic electoral margins: Over 100,000 in 2017 and 109,803 in 2022—reflecting strong Mathura support (Wikipedia).
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Named no foreign trips amid controversy linking him to the DHFL provident fund case (www.ndtv.com).
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Court vindicated him by jailing Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu in a defamation suit (www.ndtv.com).
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Active in promoting cultural and pilgrimage-related events in Braj (Mathura–Vrindavan area) through his social profiles (Instagram).
❓ FAQs about Shrikant Sharma
Q1: Which constituency does Shrikant Sharma represent?
A: He represents the Mathura seat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly since 2017.
Q2: What ministerial roles has he held?
A: He served as Energy Minister of Uttar Pradesh (2017–2022) in Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet.
Q3: What is the 1912 Helpline?
A: A dedicated electricity grievance hotline launched by Sharma to improve customer service and resolve issues promptly.
Q4: Has he been involved in scandals?
A: He was accused over the UPPCL EPF scam, but he denied the claims, and a court later convicted his accuser, bolstering his position.
Q5: What is his educational background?
A: BA in Political Science from Delhi University.
Q6: Is he active on social media?
A: Yes—he shares updates on Instagram (@shrikantbjp) and X (@ptshrikant).
Q7: Family details?
A: Married to Shalini Sharma and father to two sons.
Q8: Future political aspirations?
A: While re-election in 2027 seems likely, there have been no confirmed ambitions for ministerial roles at the national level.
๐ Final Thoughts
Shrikant Sharma’s profile is a mix of development-focused governance, assertive political discourses, and cultural outreach. His clean legal record, strong electoral wins, and infrastructure initiatives—especially in energy—have cemented his reputation in Mathura. However, like many politicians, he faces challenges in public perception and opposition attacks. His ability to navigate controversies while delivering on promises will define his future political arc.
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