Bhubaneshwar, June 25 -- Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, former IAS officer and wife of former IAS VK Pandian and trusted aide of former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, is set to join the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday.

Speculation about her joining the BJD is doing the rounds since Sujata took voluntary retirement in March, 2025. Earlier, Pandian had also taken voluntary retirement from service in October 2023 to join BJD.

BJD leaders, including Manmath Routray, had indicated that she would join the party soon.

Speaking to ANI, Routray said that the party had wanted Sujata Raut to join it for a long time so that her experience and capabilities could contribute to its growth.

"We have been requesting Naveen Patnaik for a long time to bring...