Bhubaneswar, June 25 (UDN): Former IAS officer Sujata Rout Karthikeyan formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday, marking a significant political development in Odisha. She was inducted into the party in the presence of BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Sankha Bhawan, the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
Several senior leaders of the BJD, including MLAs, MPs, and party functionaries, were present during the induction ceremony. Naveen Patnaik welcomed Sujata Karthikeyan into the party fold and officially announced her entry into active politics.
According to party sources, the decision to induct her was taken by the BJD leadership after weeks of speculation regarding her political plans following her resignation from the Indian Administrative Service earlier this year.
Sujata Karthikeyan, a former IAS officer, is known for her administrative experience and work in social development programmes during her tenure in Odisha. Her entry into politics is being closely watched, given her long public service background and association with key governance initiatives in the state.
Political observers believe her inclusion could strengthen the organisational and outreach capabilities of the BJD as the party works to regain political momentum in the post-2024 electoral landscape.
Her administrative career includes work in districts such as Sundargarh, where she was associated with initiatives in education, nutrition, women’s empowerment, and sports promotion. She has also been linked with major state-level programmes focused on women’s self-help groups and welfare schemes.
In Cuttack, she served as Collector and was associated with key welfare initiatives aimed at maternal and child health.
With her formal entry into the BJD, attention now turns to her potential role within the party and the responsibilities she may undertake in the coming months.
Leave a Reply