I want to serve the country: Satyapal Singh

After putting in his papers, Dr Satyapal Singh became the first ever police commissioner in the city to resign from the post to join politics. When addressing the media yesterday, a day after he put in his papers in front of State Home Minister RR Patil, he said that he was yet to take a decision on joining a political party.

Satyapal Singh leaves his office at the police headquarters for the last time, after the government approved his resignation. Pic/Bipin Kokate

"I wanted to listen to my conscience. So far, my sphere of work was limited to Mumbai; now I want to serve the country," he said, adding, "I want to focus on working for social harmony, national integration and world peace." He went on to say, "I have a good rapport with various parties but I am still deciding between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP. I want to serve the people on a national level and work in the interest of the people."

Before he left office, Singh was seen busy signing files. When asked if his resignation came because he had not been promoted to Deputy General, he refuted the claims and said, "I was not angry about the delay in promotion." Soon after Singh put in his papers, the government accepted his resignation and relieved him of his duties. In the presence of all senior police officials, Singh was given a send-off at Naigaon police grounds yesterday.