Sujata’s entry into BJD adds a new dimension to the party’s leadership framework.
Sujata Karthikeyan joins BJD: Former IAS officer Sujata Rout Karthikeyan on Thursday joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Sujata joined the regional party at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, in the presence of Naveen Patnaik and several senior party leaders.
Putting all speculations to rest, Sujata’s entry into BJD adds a new dimension to the party’s leadership framework. She took voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in March 2025. Sujata belonged to the 2000 batch of the IAS. She was best known for leading Mission Shakti, the Government of Odisha’s flagship women’s empowerment programme.
She is the wife of former IAS officer VK Pandian, a close aide of former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. VK Pandian, had also opted for voluntary retirement from the IAS in October 2023 before joining the BJD.
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