Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, a former IAS officer, has officially joined the Biju Janata Dal.
Naveen Patnaik emphasized her past work with Mission Shakti as an asset for women's empowerment.
Patnaik confirmed he will lead the BJD in the upcoming 2029 Assembly elections.
The move has sparked widespread discussion regarding long-term succession planning within the party ranks.