New Delhi: Former Odisha cadre IAS officer Aparajita Sarangi, who formally joined the BJP here on Tuesday, said that politics is the best medium for serving the people.
Talking to mediapersons after joining the saffron party, the former IAS officer said that she decided to join the politics after reading a number of books and interacting with people.
“After serving as an IAS officer in different important capacities for over 24 years, I realized that politics is the best medium for serving the people. During my service tenure, I have had immense satisfaction while working with and for the people. But there is a limit to self-satisfaction in government jobs. In politics, it is limitless,” she pointed out.
Asked about the reason to join the BJP, Aparajita said she decided to join the saffron party after a thorough review.
“There are two reasons for my joining the BJP. First, I analysed the objective of the party and then I had a look at its leader. I realized that the BJP is a development-oriented party and it’s focused and committed to the development of the nation. No other political party in India has the kind development perspective like the BJP. All parties will claim that they have or played a role in the development of the nation. One has to see whether there is the speed in the development. Last but not the least, I am deeply influenced by the work ethics of the Prime Minister,” she pointed out.
To a question about her meeting with the party’s national president Amit Shah and whether they discussed her candidature either for the Assembly or Lok Sabha elections from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita said she had a series of meeting with him earlier.
“Let me tell you that I have joined as a member of the BJP with no intention to hold any top post or contest the elections. When I was in the Indian Administrative Service, I have worked as a disciplined member. Whichever capacities I have worked, I have always given utmost priority to the value system, discipline and the government servant conduct rules,” she added.
Since a government official cannot resort to politics during the service tenure, it took her three months to quit the government job before taking the plunge, she further said.
Aparajita also made it clear that she will abide by the decision of her party.
“If the party asks me to contest the elections, it will be a very big challenge for me and I love to take challenges,” she averred.
To another question on how she will be able to challenge the BJD in Odisha which has ruled the state for more than 18 years, she quipped, “I will let you know in the coming days.”
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