In a letter to Assam’s chief secretary, Mishra cited “social and personal goals in life” for his resignation. He wrote: “This is to submit my unconditional resignation from the IPS to pursue a life of freedom and independence that I want to realise through various social services and other means beyond the mandate of IPS.”
It is speculated that Mishra, who hails from Arrah in Bihar, may make his poll debut from Buxar Lok Sabha seat. The constituency is currently represented by Union minister of state Ashwini Kumar Choubey. The Arrah seat is with Union MoS RP Singh.
Mishra told ET, “For the time being, I am not joining politics. I want to utilise the time for myself. During my service years, I did not find time to be with my people, I have gone there several times and found that there is hardly any change in their life. I want to work for them. It is good to be an IPS officer but I want to use my expertise for bringing a positive change in the lives of my people. I want to execute things which will bring change in the lives of people.”
A source in the know said Mishra was eyeing a BJP ticket from Buxar. “Mishra is a Brahmin and Choubey (70) too is eyeing re-nomination from the party. Mishra has increased his visibility in the area. He is providing free coaching to students. There were social media posts from his village about his engagement there.”
Mishra had a huge fan following on social media, when he was posted in Dhubri, due to his fitness regime and guitar-playing skills.Mishra was in the limelight in January last year when a protest broke out in Assam after a former student leader was shot allegedly by police in Nagaon. The protestors blocked a highway and raised slogans against Assam Police and the then Nagaon SP Anand Mishra for “brutality” against the former student leader. Mishra was later transferred to headquarters. Mishra was popular for his actions against illegal drug trade, fake gold and counterfeit currency.
