Picture : ANI/X
Former bureaucrat Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, wife of former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s close aide VK Pandian, formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on June 25, Thursday. Patnaik announced her induction after a meeting at Sankha Bhawan, the party headquarters here.
“I would like to welcome Sujata Rout to the BJD. She will be joining the party as a simple member. She has been an IAS officer and held several important positions, including her last assignment where she looked after many women of our state,” Patnaik said.
“I am sure, as time passes, she will get used to her new position. She will learn to lead people, particularly women,” he added.
Naveen Patnaik Reaffirms Leadership Amidst Speculation
As reported by PTI, Amid speculation that Sujata could eventually take over the reins of the party, Patnaik asserted that he would continue to lead the BJD in the next elections.
“I would like to repeat again for the information of the media and all other people that, of course, I will lead the BJD in the next elections. I want to make it very clear,” he said.
Sujata, a native of Kendrapara district, said she would work sincerely for the people of the state.
