Guwahati: IAS officer Devasish Sharma has taken voluntary retirement after 34 years in govt service to make his debut in politics.Sharma, who had a few months of service left, took voluntary retirement as the district commissioner of Nagaon. He assumed charge in June last year.Sharma told TOI that the decision was “practical” and motivated by his desire to serve people in a new capacity.Explaining his decision, he said, “Although less than a year of his service remained, he chose not to continue amid uncertainty over his future political plans. Though govt has accepted the voluntary retirement, certain formalities related to the resignation are pending.”Asked about speculation that he might contest the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election from the Nagaon parliamentary constituency, Sharma declined to comment definitively.“Resignation from govt service and joining a political party do not ensure tickets for the election. Though I will join BJP, which I have clearly spoken about, providing candidature in the election depends on the party, as there are always several candidature seekers,” he said.On why he did not wait until the end of his service, Sharma said uncertainty over future political developments prompted his decision.“Rather than remaining in uncertainty, I thought it was better to make a practical decision. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” he said.On his transition from bureaucracy to politics, Sharma said public service could be pursued through different platforms.“I have worked as an executive throughout my career. Now, I feel like working as part of the legislature,” he said.Sharma said he witnessed the maximum development and what he described as a practical approach to governance during BJP’s tenure.His administrative career included postings as circle officer, protocol officer in the general administration department, special officer to the governor at Raj Bhavan and resident commissioner at Assam Bhavan in Mumbai.He also served as additional secretary in the general administration department, municipal commissioner of Guwahati, and district commissioner of Morigaon and Nagaon.Sharma was resident commissioner at Assam Bhavan from 2003 to 2021 before becoming commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation.
