Former IAS Officer Sujata Karthikeyan Joins Odisha's BJD Party
Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar. She was inducted in the presence of BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Sujata, who is the wife of bureaucrat-turned-politician V K Pandian, received a warm welcome from party workers and senior leaders of the women's wing upon arrival at Sankha Bhawan.
Speaking at the event, Naveen Patnaik said, 'I would like to welcome Sujata Rout to BJD. She will be joining as a simple member of the party. You know that she has been an IAS officer and held several important positions, including her last position which was to look after women in Odisha. As time passes, she gets used to a new position. She will learn to help people, particularly women.'
Sujata had previously served in various capacities within the Odisha government before taking voluntary retirement from the IAS. Her entry into politics comes amid speculation about leadership succession in the BJD, though party leaders have not officially commented on such matters.
The BJD, which has been in power in Odisha since 2000, continues to strengthen its organisational base. Sujata's induction is seen as part of this ongoing process.
