Mirzapur: Former IAS officer Divya Mittal, who recently announced her decision to enter politics after leaving the civil services, visited the Vindhyachal temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district on Sunday, the first day of Navratri. During the visit, she said she would not join any political party and would reveal her vision and future course of action during the nine-day festival.
Mittal’s visit marked her first appearance in Mirzapur after announcing her political plans. She offered prayers to Goddess Vindhyavasini and later spoke to the media about her next steps, speculation surrounding her political associations and the reason for her visit.
Divya Mittal Says She Will Announce Her Vision During Navratri
Clarifying speculation about joining a political party, Mittal said she was not planning to join any party. She added that she would publicly explain her vision and plans for the future during Navratri.
She said her primary purpose in visiting Vindhyachal was to seek the blessings of Goddess Vindhyavasini on the auspicious first day of the festival, which is dedicated to Goddess Shailputri.
Mittal has announced her intention to enter politics but has yet to publicly detail the structure of her proposed political initiative or the specific steps she intends to take.
Gets Emotional During Welcome in Mirzapur
Before visiting the temple, Mittal travelled to the Jigna area of Mirzapur, where supporters welcomed her with flower garlands and a shower of flower petals. The gathering also saw slogans raised in her support.
Responding to the welcome, she became emotional and thanked people for their affection.
“You have taken it upon yourselves to make me cry,” she said, referring to the warmth with which people had received her. She added that the love and affection shown by people in Mirzapur often made her emotional.
Expressing her wishes for the district, Mittal said Mirzapur should always remain happy and that nobody should have to cry.
Responds to Speculation About Raja Bhaiya Meeting
Mittal also addressed speculation surrounding photographs circulated on social media that prompted questions about a possible meeting with Raja Bhaiya, the political leader associated with the Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik).
She denied that the reported meeting or conversation had taken place, according to the reports.
Her response came amid public interest in her political plans following her announcement that she intended to enter politics independently of a political party.
May Visit Lahuria Dah Village
During the interaction, Mittal was also asked about a possible visit to Lahuria Dah, a village in Mirzapur that became associated with her tenure as district magistrate.
She said she had learnt that a woman in the village was unwell and might visit her to seek her blessings.
Mittal is expected to remain in Vindhyachal during the nine days of Navratri, during which she has said she will work on outlining her next steps and make her plans public.
Who Is Divya Mittal?
Divya Mittal is a former 2013-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. She resigned from the service on August 30, 2026, after approximately 13 years in the civil services.
She subsequently announced her decision to enter politics on September 29, saying she wanted to become a voice for people whose concerns often go unheard.
During her administrative career, Mittal served as district magistrate in several Uttar Pradesh districts, including Mirzapur, Deoria and Sant Kabir Nagar. Her tenure in Mirzapur drew attention for efforts to address the drinking-water shortage in the remote village of Lahuria Dah.
Her latest visit to Mirzapur comes as she prepares to publicly explain how she intends to pursue her political ambitions.
Read Also: Divya Mittal’s IAS Resignation Accepted, 2013-Batch UP Officer to Exit Service on Sep 15
