"Frontfoot Leadership: How Sanjeev Sharma is Batting for BJP’s Success in Ghaziabad"

Interview with Ghaziabad BJP Metropolitan President Sanjeev Sharma

We learn how Sanjeev Sharma, the BJP Metropolitan President of Ghaziabad, plays his political innings. He is batting confidently on the front foot, hitting sixes and fours, and continues to hold his position as President.

Satendra Singh: First, please tell us a little about yourself. How did you enter politics? How did you start your political journey? Were you active in politics during your student life?

Sanjeev Sharma: Yes, I was active during my student life. I studied at SSV College, Hapur, and we led movements for student union elections, consistently working for students' rights. After that, I moved to Delhi to further my studies. Later, I became the Metropolitan President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, served as the party's General Secretary, and was the state's Convenor of the Information and Employment Cell. I was also the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party and then became the President of the BJP twice, as the party gave me another opportunity.

Satendra Singh: Have you been with the BJP from the beginning, or were you part of another party before joining the BJP?

Sanjeev Sharma: I was initially with another party, but I was drawn to the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party, so I joined BJP.

Satendra Singh: You have accomplished all the tasks assigned by the high command. How do you successfully complete them, receiving praise from both the national and state leadership?

Sanjeev Sharma: Whenever a program is announced, we take it seriously. We plan it by sitting with our office bearers and workers, deciding who will handle which responsibility. We make detailed plans, assign tasks to everyone, and execute them accordingly. This is also the working style of the Bharatiya Janata Party: we plan, manage, and review every program. We analyse what went well and what didn’t and strive to improve any shortcomings in future events. This approach ensures the success of our programs. During my tenure, I've completed five years, during which the National President has visited seven times, the State President and even the Honorable Prime Minister have visited multiple times, and their programs have been well-received.

Satendra Singh: Politics involves people of all ideologies, and you must work with everyone. How do you manage this?

Sanjeev Sharma: We have 2,100 booths, each with ten members, making it about 40,000 workers, each with their own temperament. Some are aggressive, some are calm, some are dedicated to the party, and new members want quick results. Building relationships and caring for everyone is essential. I regularly sit at the party office, and any worker, even the most active booth president, can meet me anytime. If they face any problems, I try to resolve them by myself or our representatives. This approach keeps people connected to the BJP.

Satendra Singh: The opposition in Ghaziabad seems almost non-existent. What do you have to say about this, and what strategies did you employ to achieve this?

Sanjeev Sharma: It seemed like the opposition was finished at one point. However, during the last Lok Sabha elections, they tried to spread falsehoods, misleading the public by saying that the BJP would abolish the Constitution. But now, people understand their lies and are unwilling to associate with them. Opposition parties often make promises, knowing they will never come to power, so they don’t have to fulfil them. Their deceit has distanced them from the public, and people do not appreciate this.

Satendra Singh: A personal question: You are so busy with politics; how do you find time for your family? Does your wife ever get upset with you?

Sanjeev Sharma: No, she doesn’t get upset. When we got married, I was already involved in politics, and I had told her that I might not be able to give much time. She was okay with it, and she is a teacher herself. However, I make time for my family whenever possible, and we try to take a short trip for a day or two once a month.

Satendra Singh: You often organise religious events. What inspires you to do this, and what is the purpose behind these events?

Sanjeev Sharma: I have been spiritual and religious since the beginning. My parents were very religious, and I learned a lot from them. People say everyone becomes spiritual in old age, but I believe that our work and faith are essential throughout life. Spirituality and serving others by taking the name of God are paramount.

Satendra Singh: With BJP’s by-elections approaching and many contenders in the fray, what preparations have you made?

Sanjeev Sharma: A BJP worker is always ready because we constantly engage in campaigns or initiatives. Currently, there is a membership campaign running very actively. Our launch was just two days ago, and we have already made 50,000 new members in Ghaziabad. We aim to reach 100,000 members, which will secure those votes in the upcoming Ghaziabad city assembly. People willingly give missed calls from their phones, fill out forms, and receive their membership cards. We will then connect with them and share the work done by our Chief Minister and Prime Minister. As for the candidacy, many people are interested, and everyone has the right to contest. So far, no formal applications have been submitted, and there is no directive to accept them.

Satendra Singh: The opposition is quite aggressive regarding our Chief Minister Yogi Ji’s bulldozer policy, claiming it’s wrong. What are your thoughts, especially regarding the recent Supreme Court decision?

Sanjeev Sharma: Our legal system often allows big mafias to get away with crimes, thinking they’ll only receive minor penalties or bail without significant financial repercussions. Yogi Ji introduced a new policy to hit them where it hurts—their finances. If their properties are seized or demolished, it creates a sense of fear among offenders, making them think twice before committing crimes. This approach has been appreciated by the people of the state and the entire country. We hope that God continues to give Yogi Ji the strength to eliminate all mafias.

Satendra Singh: According to the Supreme Court ruling, demolishing houses wrongly is illegal, but it hasn’t declared any such actions illegal specifically in this context. Most demolitions were of unauthorised constructions that didn’t comply with municipal or authority norms, right?

Sanjeev Sharma: The demolitions targeted illegal constructions, not authorised ones. This isn’t new; it's necessary where unauthorised structures exist, be it due to land encroachment or unapproved plans.

Satendra Singh: What is the Chief Minister doing to promote industries in Uttar Pradesh? Is Uttar Pradesh now a safe place?

Sanjeev Sharma: The Chief Minister has taken significant steps to promote industries in Uttar Pradesh by improving the business environment and addressing safety concerns that previously deterred investors. The state government has introduced policies to provide all necessary facilities and incentives to entrepreneurs and industrialists willing to invest in the state.

One of the fundamental changes is the enhancement of law and order, which has instilled confidence among business owners. Earlier, there was a widespread perception of poor safety, which discouraged industrial growth. However, the current administration has effectively managed these issues, making Uttar Pradesh a favourable business destination. We now see a substantial influx of investments, and many large projects are underway, such as the recent announcement of a Rs. 98,000 crore hydrogen plant in Urai.

Overall, Uttar Pradesh has transformed into a secure and thriving hub for industries, and the state is progressing rapidly under the leadership of our Chief Minister.

Satendra Singh: Lastly, what message would you like to give to the people of Ghaziabad regarding the membership campaign?

Sanjeev Sharma: Our membership campaign runs from the 1st to the 25th of September. Various methods, including missed calls, are used for registration, and people receive their identity cards upon completing the process. Our volunteers set up camps in markets, metro stations, railway stations, and bus stands and even engage vendors and market sellers. We are also going door-to-door, encouraging those who willingly wish to become members of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Within two days, we have made over 50,000 members in Ghaziabad, a significant achievement. We have set a target of 500,000 members in the Ghaziabad metropolitan area and 250,000 in the district, totalling 750,000. It gives us great joy to announce that on the first day, we ranked third in Uttar Pradesh, and as our membership grows, we aim to reach the top spot. I request everyone to join the BJP to support India’s development, strengthening the hands of Narendra Modi Ji and Yogi Adityanath Ji for a stronger nation.