Former IAS officer Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, wife of VK Pandian, formally joined the Biju Janata Dal on Thursday. Welcoming her as a primary member, Naveen Patnaik dismissed leadership succession speculation and reaffirmed that he would lead the party in future elections
He exuded confidence in BJD's victory in the Assembly elections and dismissed any potential impact of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha, affirming it wouldn't sway Naveen Patnaik or the people of the state.
