Former Director General of Police (DGP) Gupteshwar Pandey resigned from his post last week and after days of denying speculations that he may contest elections on a Janata Dal (United) ticket, he has now dropped clear signs that he plans to join politics. While refusing to reveal the name of any party, the former IPS officer told sections of media that joining politics should not be deemed sinful.
Two days after his resignation, Mr Pandey talked about his own journey, in a Facebook Live that he did on his own social media pages. Elaborating on his personal journey, IPS Pandey said he comes from a farmer’s family and had not seen the world outside of his village in Buxar before his friend got him admission in a Patna college for graduation.
Earlier, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Mr Pandey had tendered his resignation and sought fighting elections, only to withdraw his resignation soon. This time around, much like the previous time, it was speculated that he may join BJP. Shahpur in Buxar and Valmikinagar in West Champaran probable seats from where he may fight the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Recent reports suggest he has also kept his options with JD(U) pretty open. He was scheduled to retire in February 2021.
Later, Mr Pandey told India Today, “Is it a sin to join politics? What is unethical and immoral about it? Criminals reach Parliament then why can’t I think about this. Gupteshwar Pandey can win from any place as an independent candidate. “
Mr Pandey holds the credit for initiating community policing and has a good record of controlling communal riots. However, Mr Pandey was rumoured to have been involved in a case of kidnapping and murder of a minor girl. Currently being investigated by the CBI, the case does not officially name him.