New Delhi, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Uttar Pradesh-cadre IAS officer Divya Mittal on Tuesday announced her entry into politics, weeks after resigning from the administrative service, and said she would begin her political journey in Uttar Pradesh without joining any political party. Recent reports also confirm that she plans to build an independent political platform with citizens.
In a video message, Mittal said she wanted to become “the voice” of people whose concerns often fail to reach government offices or are not heard even when they do.
“Just a few days ago, I resigned from the IAS, and left many questions in your mind. I did not answer for a few days because the work was huge and I was gathering courage, but today I have come to answer those questions. What next? With whom and from where?” she said.
Announcing her decision to enter politics, Mittal said her focus would be on accountability, justice and issues affecting ordinary citizens.
She recalled her experience while inspecting the water supply system in Lahuria Dah village in Mirzapur. According to Mittal, a woman from the village had approached her seeking a school offering education beyond Class 5. She said she examined the rules and approved the proposal, but construction had still not started even after three years.
“There was just no will. If there had been will, even the mountain would have given way, but if there had been no will, a single file became a mountain,” she said, stressing the need for accountability over administrative delays.
Mittal also recalled an incident from her tenure as Special Secretary involving a landless man who claimed he had been allotted government land but had not received possession. She said an inquiry found the report submitted in the matter to be incorrect. Following her intervention, the report was withdrawn and the person responsible was prosecuted, she said, although the possession issue remained unresolved.
She also raised concerns over poor roads and bridges in villages and the difficulties faced by children and families during the monsoon. Mittal questioned whether accidents resulting from persistent infrastructure deficiencies should continue to be treated simply as accidents.
Speaking about young people, she referred to concerns including examination paper leaks, lengthy recruitment processes and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on employment. As a mother of two daughters, she said she was concerned about the future that children would face.
“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.
“We will have to change the politics. I will do politics, but not with anyone or any party. But with you all,” Mittal said, adding that she would fight from Uttar Pradesh.
Mittal is a 2013-batch IAS officer who left the service after nearly 13 years. Her resignation, submitted on August 30, was accepted in September.
She served as District Magistrate in districts including Mirzapur and Deoria and drew attention during her tenure in Mirzapur for efforts to provide piped water to remote villages.
Her political announcement came after she had said on social media that she would reveal her next step on September 29, following speculation about her plans after leaving the IAS.
FOLLOW NOW
