Divya Mittal announces political plunge after quitting IAS, says 'will work directly with people'

Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Divya Mittal, who recently resigned from her role, announced on Monday her decision to enter politics. The Uttar Pradesh native, who served in various capacities including District Magistrate of Sant Kabir Nagar and Mirzapur, expressed her intention to become the "voice" of people whose concerns often go unheard by the government.

Mittal, a 2013-batch IAS officer, explained that her decision was driven by a desire to address issues like the construction of unsanctioned schools, the lack of land transfer despite lease agreements, poor road conditions, and the impact of examination paper leaks on students' futures. She cited an incident in Lahuria Dah, Mirzapur, where a woman, lacking basic amenities such as a drinking water connection, requested the construction of a school in her village - a request that was ultimately sanctioned but not fulfilled.

Reflecting on her tenure in Mirzapur, Mittal highlighted that she had sanctioned a school, but its construction lagged three years. She questioned the lack of intent despite the availability of funds, rules, and approvals. Her primary objective, she said, is not to alter the leader but the nature of politics.

Unlike many political entrants, Mittal does not intend to align herself with a specific political party, declaring her policy to be "with the people." She emphasized that her political journey will start from Uttar Pradesh, her "karmabhoomi." She ruled out the use of caste as a card and appealed to the public for their support, sharing a WhatsApp number for those interested in connecting with her initiative.