Who is Dr Dinesh Sharma? New Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

President Droupadi Murmu has named Dr Dinesh Sharma, a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician and previous Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, as the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Dr Sharma, who is a renowned educationist as well. He has been in various significant public positions in his career including Lucknow Mayor, UP Legislative Council and Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Dinesh Sharma: Profile Overview

Dr Dinesh Sharma takes over from Admiral (Retd) Devendra Kumar Joshi who was serving as the Lieutenant Governor of the union territory since October 2017. As per the official press release from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the appointment is effective from the date Dr Sharma takes over his charge. 

Educational Qualifications and Early Academic Journey

Prior to making his mark in national politics, Dr. Dinesh Sharma academic career: 

• Higher Education:He completed his Master’s degree and later earned a Ph.D. in Commerce from Lucknow University in 1992. 

• Professorship: He held the position of Professor at the Department of Commerce of Lucknow University for thirty years during which he guided many scholars for their doctoral work and contributed to academic publications. 

• Student Leadership: His inclination towards societal service started from university days when he was involved in various student organizations including Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

Political Career and Major Achievements 

Dr. Dinesh Sharma climbed the ladder of politics while holding several posts in local governance, state administration, and the National Parliament. 

• Mayor of Lucknow for Two Terms (2006 – 2017): He was first elected as Mayor of Lucknow in 2006 and then once again in 2012 with a historic landslide victory. He is credited for the introduction of various civic cleanliness programs, digitisation of municipal services, and modernization of urban infrastructure in Lucknow city. 

• Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (2017 – 2022): He was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister along with Keshav Prasad Maurya under CM Yogi Adityanath after BJP’s victory in the elections in 2017.

• He held important portfolios such as Higher Education, Technical Education, Science and Technology and IT & Electronics. 

• He was responsible for implementing various important educational reforms in Uttar Pradesh. 

• This included harsh actions against examination mafia, digitization of operations of state boards and establishment of new universities. 

• Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha (2023 – 2026): Dr Dinesh Sharma served as a member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from 2023 till 2026. He was elected unopposed in September 2023 to Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. He has been a part of the panel of vice chairpersons and has been responsible for conducting parliamentary proceedings.  

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are of critical significance strategically, economically and geopolitically for India in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean region. In the role of Lieutenant Governor, Dr Dinesh Sharma acts as an administrator and constitutional leader of the Union Territory.