Naveen Patnaik's Key Aide VK Pandian's Wife Sujata Rout Karthikeyan Joins BJD

Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, a former IAS officer and wife of Naveen Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian, joined the BJD on Thursday. Patnaik, who confirmed he will lead the party in the next elections, welcomed her as a simple member and expressed confidence in her ability to lead people, particularly women. Rout Karthikeyan previously served as an IAS officer overseeing women's welfare in Odisha and has been credited with expanding Mission Shakti. She resigned from the civil services in March 2025 after the BJD's defeat in the 2024 elections.