BHUBANESWAR: Senior IAS officer Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, wife of former bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader VK Pandian, opted for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) following her husband’s footsteps, immediately fuelling speculation about her possible entry into politics.
The Centre accepted the resignation of the 2000-batch officer on Friday, with retrospective effect from March 13 when she submitted her papers waiving her three months’ notice period, govt sources said.
Sujata, 49, was serving as special secretary in the finance department at the time of her retirement.
When contacted, Sujata, who holds a master’s degree in international politics, dismissed speculation about joining the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), stating that her decision to quit IAS was “purely personal.” An original resident of Kendrapada remained non-committal about her future plans, saying, “Nothing as of now.”
However, BJD sources said the party might be considering her inclusion to strengthen its women support base, particularly significant with the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the next Lok Sabha and assembly elections in 2029.
During the 2024 elections, the Election Commission of India had transferred Sujata from her position as secretary of Mission Shakti to a non-public dealing post following allegations that she worked for BJD’s interests.
She later took six months of childcare leave before rejoining in November last year. Her subsequent application for an additional six-month leave was rejected by the government.
Her husband, VK Pandian, who wielded considerable influence as a bureaucrat during Naveen Patnaik’s last term as chief minister (2019-2024), had also taken VRS before joining BJD in 2023. However, he has maintained a low profile since BJD’s defeat in the recent simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections. A close associate of Pandian said he may join an international philanthropic organisation in a senior position.
