Politics is seemingly an unconventional job space for students at BITS. What aspects of BITS do you think helped propel your political career forward?

Indeed, politics is not something I’d call a conventional job space, and I had no clue I’d end up here. I started the party in 2019, and if, even a year back, someone had told me that I would be in politics with a new party, I would have laughed. But looking back, Pilani stands out as a place that helps students develop a well-rounded personality. It’s not just about academics. Enough opportunities exist to engage in extracurricular activities outside the classroom.

I was deeply involved in activities like being the sports secretary of my hostel, being part of the Tamil Mandram, and other initiatives. These experiences helped me grow in ways I didn’t realize back then. I think this holistic approach makes BITS unique, and it’s a big reason I’ve taken an unconventional path like politics.

BNP’s mission is to help rebuild and revive Bangalore. How can a student contribute to this mission?

BNP is truly unique—it’s the only party in the world that’s focused entirely on one city and its municipal governance. Seeing the pathetic state of grassroots governance in Bengaluru drove me to start it. A turning point for me was when a 17-year-old girl tragically lost her life near my apartment because there wasn’t a proper skywalk. That incident and other avoidable tragedies, like falling trees and loose wires, made me realize that things needed to change.

I strongly believe that the students can play a huge role in this mission. For instance, they can get involved in Area Sabhas, which are local citizen groups empowered to make decisions about their neighborhoods. These groups decide how funds are spent, which footpaths get repaired, or which lakes need rejuvenation. Young people, including students, have the power to shape their communities. It’s all about stepping up and engaging with the system.

How did you manage to rally more than 1,000 apartment communities, comprising 3 lakh households, under one umbrella? Could you please walk us through some of the steps that helped you achieve this level of leadership?

It all started before COVID-19 with the formation of the Bangalore Apartments Federation. Back then, the apartments were unfairly blamed for issues like lake pollution, which is false. The Federation’s goal was to show that apartment residents are socially responsible. We implemented solid waste management, rooftop solar systems, and water conservation initiatives.

And when COVID hit, I had already started my political party, BNP. Through BNP, I mobilized 1,000+ volunteers from across the city. My professional background helped here —  I brought in corporate principles to create a systematic, scalable approach. It’s about building teams, setting processes, and ensuring everything runs efficiently. I believe in that kind of governance, which is structured, impactful, and citizen-driven.

Is there anything you would like to add to the BITS curriculum to enhance leadership qualities?

While it would be good to see if we can bring in formal additions to the curriculum on this subject, I’d suggest starting a civic club on Campus. This club could raise awareness about civic governance and encourage students to get involved. For example, students could participate in Area Sabhas during vacations or contribute from campus. The idea is to inspire students to take an active role in governance. Did you know the minimum age to become a municipal corporation is just 21? The students have a real opportunity to shape their cities. A civic club would be a great starting point for this.

What gap in the current political system and parties did you want to fill by founding the Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP)?

The BNP is built on three core principles: Citizen Participation, Accountability, and Transparency — or CAT, as I call it. These principles are often missing in municipal governance.

For example, citizens should be directly involved in decisions about resource allocation and project execution through Area Sabhas. Officials and contractors need to be held accountable for their work, and penalties should be imposed for poor performance. Transparency is equally important — citizens should have access to details about projects, budgets, and progress. By addressing these gaps, I believe any city can be transformed into a world-class one.

What values from your time at BITS do you think have helped guide you in your political career?

If I had to sum it up, it’s the values of initiative-taking, leadership & collaboration that I’ve tried to bring into governance. While I did not realize it then, BITS has played a key role in how I work with people, take initiative, and look at problems holistically. These lessons have been invaluable in my political journey.

BNP’s mission is to help rebuild and revive Bangalore. How can a student contribute to this mission?

Students have several ways to contribute. If you’re interested in governance, you can participate in civic initiatives, like Area Sabhas. You could also prepare for civil services to join the administration formally.

Politics is trickier — it’s not a job in the traditional sense. It’s about service, and it doesn’t pay unless you’re elected. That’s why we’re working to professionalize politics at BNP, creating opportunities for full-time involvement without financial constraints. Students can start by volunteering with BNP or similar initiatives to make a tangible impact on their communities.