Ending days of speculation over a widely anticipated move, former IAS officer Divya Mittal on Thursday announced her political debut, launching her party Janneeti Bharat and declaring her intention to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections from Mirzapur.
Mittal, who served as Mirzapur district magistrate from September 2022 to September 2023, told Hindustan Times that public pressure played a role in her decision to contest from the district. The district is considered a stronghold of Union minister and Apna Dal (S) chief Anupriya Patel, who won the Mirzapur Lok Sabha seat in 2014, 2019 and 2024. When asked whether she would field candidates in all 403 assembly constituencies and about the party’s manifesto and candidate selection process, Mittal said details of its functioning and electoral plans would be made public soon.
She announced her party and electoral plans through social media posts and a video message. Known for its carpet and brassware industries, and revered shrines such as Vindhyachal, Ashtbhuja and Kali Khoh, Mirzapur is now gearing up for a new electoral contest, with former IAS officer Divya Mittal entering the fray to challenge established players, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress. Mirzapur’s political landscape presents a challenge for the former bureaucrat. In her video message, Mittal outlined three key promises: people-centric policymaking, decisions based on need rather than identity, and public accountability.
The party’s motto is “Rajneeti nahi Janneeti,” which, she said, puts people at the centre of decision-making.
