Former IAS officer Divya Mittal, who resigned from the civil services and announced her entry into politics, is set to reveal her next course of action on October 15. Having chosen Uttar Pradesh as the starting point of her political journey, Mittal has stepped up her public engagement in Mirzapur during Navratri, fuelling speculation about her plans ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Mittal is expected to make the announcement from Mirzapur at around the same time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to visit the district. The coincidence has added to the political interest surrounding her next move, although she has not indicated that the announcement is intended as a challenge to the chief minister or the BJP.
Mittal has said she will publicly announce each step of her political journey and urged people to wait for her official declaration. While speculation continues over the nature of her political plans, she has reiterated that she does not intend to join any existing political party.
The former bureaucrat, who served as the district magistrate of Mirzapur, has been engaging with residents and participating in local events during her visit to the district this Navratri. Her recent public appearances have drawn attention, with supporters welcoming her with flowers and raising slogans of "Divya Didi Zindabad".
The reception has added to the perception of Mittal emerging as a political figure after a 13-year career in the bureaucracy. Her growing public engagement has also fuelled speculation over whether she intends to make Mirzapur the centre of her political activities.
However, Mittal has not disclosed the specific nature of her October 15 announcement. She has also not confirmed whether she intends to contest the 2027 Assembly elections or identified a constituency from which she might enter the electoral fray.
Mittal's proposed political entry has attracted interest from several political parties in Uttar Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was earlier asked about her plans to enter politics. In response, he said she would have to decide whether to wear a "green and red scarf" or something else, referring to the colours associated with the Samajwadi Party. The remark was viewed in political circles as an indication of interest in her joining the party, although no formal offer of a ticket or constituency was announced.
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai had also said the party would consider Mittal if she wanted to contest an election and work for society.
"Congress has always encouraged women and anyone with desire to work for people is welcome," Rai said. The party had also publicly supported her following her resignation from the IAS.
Other parties, including the Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik), have welcomed her political entry and raised the possibility of a new chapter in Uttar Pradesh politics, pointing to the combination of her administrative experience and the party's grassroots presence.
Despite the interest expressed by political parties, Mittal has not announced any political affiliation. Her repeated assertion that she will not join an existing party has added to the uncertainty over the political platform or initiative she may pursue.
A 2013-batch IAS officer, Mittal resigned from the civil services on August 30 after a 13-year career. She publicly confirmed her decision to enter politics on September 29, saying she would begin her political journey in Uttar Pradesh, which she described as her karmabhoomi.
An alumna of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, Mittal had worked in London before entering the civil services. She cleared the civil services examination and joined the IAS in 2013, after an earlier selection to the Indian Police Service (IPS).
During her administrative career, she served as district magistrate of Mirzapur, Deoria and Sant Kabir Nagar, besides holding other positions in the Uttar Pradesh administration.
Her October 15 announcement is now expected to provide greater clarity on how she intends to translate her administrative experience and growing public engagement into a political role, even as questions remain over whether she will pursue electoral politics independently or adopt another course.
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