Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leader Pranab Prakash ‘Bobby’ Das met Sujata Rout Karthikeyan at Sankha Bhawan on Friday, a day after his absence from her joining ceremony triggered speculation of simmering discontent over her induction into the party fold.
According to sources, they held discussions on various issues related to the party and organisation.
Putting an end to months of speculation, the 2000-batch IAS officer, who took voluntary retirement in March 2025, made her official entry into BJD politics at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. The ceremony was attended by party president Naveen Patnaik. Sujata followed the same path as her husband and former bureaucrat, V K Pandian, who entered active regional politics in 2023.
However, several prominent faces, including Badri Narayan Patra, Prasanna Acharya, Bhupinder Singh, Ranendra Pratap Swain, Pushpendra Singhdeo, Latika Pradhan, and Bikram Keshari Arukha and Bobby Das, were conspicuous by their absence. Their no-show fuelled perceptions of quiet disapproval from certain sections within the party, even as support for Sujata’s entry appeared growing in other quarters.
Party leaders had then dismissed suggestions of any rift, attributing the absences to unavoidable commitments.
To quell the speculation, Bobby Das, later in the evening took to his X handle and wrote: “Every decision of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, is aimed at making the party stronger and more well-organised. His decision today is a welcome step. A warm welcome and best wishes to Sujata Rout on joining the people’s party, the Biju Janata Dal.”
While her induction is widely viewed as a strategic move ahead of the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections, political observers also see it as a possible precursor to the return of Pandian, who had stepped back from active politics following the BJD’s electoral setback in 2024, as a key power centre in the Naveen Patnaik-led party.
Interestingly, treading lightly around the sensitive issue of ‘Odia Asmita’ that purportedly led to the party’s rout in 2024, the BJD chief chose to address the former IAS officer as “Sujata Rout” rather than her official name “Sujata R Karthikeyan”. He also downplayed her immediate influence stating that she has joined the party as a “simple worker,” while asserting that he would lead the charge in the 2029 assembly elections.
Also Read: What Sujata Karthikeyan’s Entry Could Mean For BJD & Odisha Politics?
Speaking to the media on Friday, Rajya Sabha member from BJD Sasmit Patra described her joining as an important day for the party. “She represents the true essence of Nari Shakti. She has dedicated her life and her career to empowering women and empowering communities. Her experience in public administration is a tremendous asset for the BJD, which believes in good governance and people-centric development. She has worked extensively at the grassroots, giving her a deep understanding of the issues and the aspirations of the ordinary people of Orissa. Her contribution to women’s empowerment has earned her widespread respect, and that experience will enrich the BJD,” he said.
Patra further stated that the former IAS officer brings invaluable credibility, integrity, and a proven track record of public service to the party. “Her induction will strengthen BJD’s grassroots connect and especially engagement with women, youth, self-help groups and rural communities across the state. She understands how policy can be translated to help the people. The BJD always believes in empowering women. Our leader, Naveen Patnaik believes in empowering women, and Sujata Rout as the proponent of that idea on Mission Shakti, the initiative that revolutionised 6 lakh women self-help groups and 70 lakh women across Orissa, will be a torchbearer in strengthening it further,” he added.
