Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her decision to enter politics in Uttar Pradesh, vowing to become the voice for those whose grievances are unheard by the government. After a 13-year career in the IAS, Mittal resigned to initiate a political journey independent of any existing party, planning to build a platform with citizen support. She expressed a desire to move beyond the current political landscape characterized by power and noise, advocating for greater thinking and accountability. Her move is seen as significant given the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, her proclaimed "karmabhoomi," and she aims to address issues of administrative apathy and foster a broader change in politics.

Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her decision to enter politics in Uttar Pradesh, vowing to become the voice for those whose grievances are unheard by the government. After a 13-year career in the IAS, Mittal resigned to initiate a political journey independent of any existing party, planning to build a platform with citizen support. She expressed a desire to move beyond the current political landscape characterized by power and noise, advocating for greater thinking and accountability. Her move is seen as significant given the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, her proclaimed "karmabhoomi," and she aims to address issues of administrative apathy and foster a broader change in politics.

Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her decision to enter politics in Uttar Pradesh, vowing to become the voice for those whose grievances are unheard by the government. After a 13-year career in the IAS, Mittal resigned to initiate a political journey independent of any existing party, planning to build a platform with citizen support. She expressed a desire to move beyond the current political landscape characterized by power and noise, advocating for greater thinking and accountability. Her move is seen as significant given the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, her proclaimed "karmabhoomi," and she aims to address issues of administrative apathy and foster a broader change in politics.

Nearly a month after her resignation from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), former Uttar Pradesh-cadre officer Divya Mittal on Tuesday announced her entry into politics, but ruled out joining any party.

In a video message on X, Mittal said she would begin her political journey from UP and strive to become the voice of people whose grievances often fail to reach government offices.

"I want to be the voice of those people whose voices cannot reach any office and, even if they do, are not heard," she said, adding that she would seek an account of the country's 80 years since Independence.

Mittal’s decision to enter the Uttar Pradesh politics assumes significance as it comes months ahead of the crucial assembly elections. She said she would not enter politics under the banner of any existing political party. Instead, she said, she would build a platform with citizens who supported her and would not be deterred by money, muscle power or caste and religious calculations.

"Today, there is everything in our politics, there is power, there is noise, but there is no thinking. I want an account of that lack of thinking," she said.

Mittal described Uttar Pradesh as her "karmabhoomi" and said people there had supported her during her administrative career. "I came here as an officer, but the people here made me their daughter," she said.

A 2013-batch IAS officer, Mitttal resigned on August 30 after a 13-year career. She was the special secretary in the Revenue Department in Lucknow when she tendered her resignation. 

She had earlier notably worked as the district magistrate in Deoria, Mirzapur and Sant Kabir Nagar. 

In her video message, Mittal said she believed change was possible in the country and argued that Uttar Pradesh had historically played an important role in India's journey.

Mittal cited several instances of alleged administrative apathy and said she wanted to raise questions about such cases. “The objective is not only to change one politician; politics has to change,” she said. 

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