'Privatisation, capitalism can’t end economic mess'

Former IIMA professor Abhishek Mishra, 34, will be contesting the forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh from Lucknow (North) seat on Samajwadi Party’s ticket. Fluent in English, highly educated and humble, Mishra is part of the new breed of politicians who want to prove that politics can also be a career for intellectuals and youths who wish to be agents of change.

Mishra has distinguished himself in various roles. After doing his Master’s in management from Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow, he got his PhD from Cambridge University. He then taught at the IIMA for six years.

In a telephonic interview with DNA, Mishra talked about his wish to empower farmers so that his native state, UP, could progress fast and be part of a changing India’s destiny:

Your journey is interesting, from an academician at a premier business management institute to a politician. How do you explain this shift from education to politics?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that I was restless or rather frustrated to see too many wrong things happening in UP. A huge debate has been going on about ushering in change in the country. When I asked myself if there was any politician today with the qualities I cherish, the answer was hard to find. So I thought let me do this myself. I have achieved a lot at a young age. The decision to enter politics needs courage, though it may look foolish to others. The idea is that if I can help bring about even a small change in UP, it will encourage others to be part of the democratic set up and initiate changes in a rotten system.

Anything specific that compelled you to join politics?
I think the immediate inspiration came from the Almighty. Whatever He may have done, it made me restlessness. The question whether I had it in me or was I doing something to bring about change is what compelled me to join politics. In the last four decades, critics [of the system] have just sat on the sidelines criticising the government. In countries like Greece, the best people of their generation are in politics but this is still not the trend in India. Most IAS officers, doctors and engineers do not come forward to change the system. They prefer to go to IIMs and elsewhere. So Indian politics gets whoever is available. These are not necessarily the educated and thinking people.

What made you join the Samajwadi Party?  
I have now chosen politics as full-time profession. And like any professional achievement, forming a government is also an achievement in politics. In UP, it is the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party who are the real contenders for power. BSP fills in a gap but SP completes the sentence.

I could relate to SP because of a young leader like Akhilesh Yadav who believes in progress and socialism. I know that capitalism and privatisation are not the answers to the problems facing India and the world. Samajwadi Party talks about socialism, mixed economy and secularism. At least they have an identity and they focus on farmers. I have always believed that without a stable village, there cannot be a stable city.

What in UP made you restless and frustrated? What are the things you want to change?
If you ask my agenda for change, it will certainly include giving dignity with work because they go hand in hand. If you give employment to people, they are smart enough to carve a niche for themselves and make a mark. So my focus would be certainly on giving employment opportunities along with dignity to the people of UP.