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‘Uttar Pradesh is my karmabhoomi’: Former IAS officer Divya Mittal announces independent political entry Lucknow: Former IAS officer Divya Mittal on Tuesday announced her entry into politics but said she won’t join any party. Uttar Pradesh is my “karmabhoomi” and the state would be the starting point of my political journey, she said.Mittal, a 2013 batch UP cadre officer, resigned from the service earlier this month. Mittal said she would work directly with citizens and build an independent platform. She alleged that rumours circulated after her resignation were intended to discourage newcomers from entering public life. “I will not be deterred from raising public issues,” she said.In a video statement, Mittal said her administrative experience drove her decision. “I realised that many problems of the public do not get resolved even when approvals, funds and provisions are in place,” she said, adding, “There are people whose voices do not reach govt, and even when they do, their problems remain unheard.”“I want politics of intent, justice, concern and long-term thinking,” she said. “My objective is not just to replace political leaders. It is to change the way politics functions,” she added.She cited the example of a remote village where residents had sought a school offering education beyond Class V. Mittal said she approved the proposal, but construction had not begun years later. “It was not a question of funds or rules. There was a lack of intent,” she said.She also referred to a landless beneficiary who had official documents for an allotted plot but did not get its physical possession. “Inquiries found irregularities in the reports, and corrective action was taken. Yet the work did not move forward,” Mittal said, questioning what she described as “higher-level interference” in cases where people were legally entitled to relief.Mittal said she wanted to take up issues, including poor rural infrastructure, unsafe roads, examination paper leaks and employment concerns in the age of artificial intelligence. These, she said, needed greater public debate and attention from policymakers.She appealed to people from different walks of life, including teachers, farmers, students, doctors, labourers and lawyers, to join her effort. “Meaningful political change can come only through collective public participation,” she said.During her 13-year career, she also served as the district magistrate of Mirzapur and Deoria.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.