Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister A.K. Sharma has been at the center of a storm — but not due to any personal wrongdoing or administrative failure. Instead, a few rogue elements, masquerading as power employees and union leaders, seem to have taken a “contract” to target the minister. Their agenda? Disrupt governance under the false pretense of resisting privatization.
Minister A.K. Sharma Refuses to Bow to Blackmail
From the beginning of his tenure, A.K. Sharma has made it clear that he won’t surrender to pressure tactics or blackmail. And that’s precisely what has rattled some self-proclaimed employee leaders who had grown used to bending the system to their will.
It is unfortunate that these very few individuals are tarnishing the image of the entire electricity department, which otherwise comprises thousands of hardworking engineers, linemen, and officers who work tirelessly around the clock to keep the lights on.
Four Strikes in Three Years – A Pattern?
In just three years of A.K. Sharma’s tenure, these elements have called four strikes. The first one was shockingly planned just three days after he took office — a clear indicator that this wasn’t about policies or reforms, but rather personal agendas.
Eventually, the situation escalated to such an extent that the Honorable High Court had to intervene, ordering a halt to their unjustified chain of strikes. This raises an important question:
Why do such frequent strikes occur only in the power department?
Other departments in the state also have unions, issues, and challenges — but they manage them without paralyzing the system. So why the repeated chaos in just this sector?
A Recent Incident at the Minister’s Residence
A few days ago, under the pretense of protesting privatization, these unruly individuals created chaos at A.K. Sharma’s official residence, engaging in verbal abuse and disrespect not just towards the minister but also his family. Yet, in a show of patience and civility, Sharma offered them sweets, water, and even waited two and a half hours to meet them — a gesture that starkly contrasts their behavior.
The Privatization Debate: Facts That Can’t Be Ignored
Let’s set the record straight. These union leaders have tried to create panic in the name of privatization, but the facts tell a different story:
1. What Happened in 2010?
Back in 2010, when the Agra electricity distribution was handed over to Torrent Power, the same union leaders were in charge. There was no such uproar. Why? Because reports suggest that many of them were allegedly on foreign tours funded by unknown sources at the time.
2. Does the Minister Alone Control Privatization?
Anyone familiar with departmental procedures knows that the Energy Minister does not make privatization decisions alone. In fact, even the transfer of a Junior Engineer (JE) is beyond his exclusive authority. The UPPCL management functions independently, and such monumental decisions require multiple administrative approvals.
3. Task Force-Led Decision Making
The ongoing process is led by a task force chaired by the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. Every step is being carried out under their direction, not unilaterally by the Energy Minister.
4. Privatization Has Government-Level Approval
This is not a backdoor decision. The formal government order for privatization was issued only after top-level approval from the State Government. If the critics are so well-versed in internal procedures, they certainly know this too.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Call Out the Real Agenda
It is high time we acknowledge that the resistance against A.K. Sharma is less about workers’ rights and more about personal power plays. The vast majority of electricity department employees continue to serve with integrity and commitment. They deserve better representation than a handful of leaders who resort to drama, blackmail, and misinformation.
Instead of undermining reform efforts, we must support leaders like A.K. Sharma, who stand firm for transparency, accountability, and public service.