BJD youth, student wings back Sujata Karthikeyan, pledge loyalty to Naveen Patnaik amid ‘discontent’

Amid continuing political debate within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the possible entry of former IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan into active party politics, the party’s youth and student wings have come out firmly in her support, asserting that any decision taken by BJD president Naveen Patnaik will be accepted without dissent.

Speaking on behalf of the Biju Yuva Janata Dal, state president Chinmay Sahu said Naveen Patnaik remains the sole and undisputed leader of the party and that his decisions are final. 

Using a symbolic comparison, Sahu said Naveen Patnaik is “Shree Ram” and party workers are “Hanuman,” bound to follow his instructions with complete commitment. He described Sujata Karthikeyan as a highly educated and capable woman, stating that criticism of her credentials was unwarranted.

“The person whom the media is talking about (Sujata Karthikeyan) is an empowering figure. She has transformed the lives and livelihoods of over 70 lakh women. Why are we talking sarcastically about a woman of such high calibre? If Naveen Patnaik decides something, we will follow,” said Sahu.

Student Wing Welcomes Possibility Of Woman Leadership

Echoing similar views, Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ipsita Sahu said Odisha already has women occupying key constitutional and administrative positions, including the Deputy Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary, with the President of India also being a woman. She said the party would welcome women’s leadership if Naveen Patnaik so decides.

“If Naveen Patnaik hands over the party's charge to a woman, then we will follow his order like loyal soldiers. We will follow him like Lord Hanuman. There is no scope for a second opinion here,” she said.

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Senior Leaders Differ

The statements from the youth and student wings come against the backdrop of contrasting views within the BJD over Sujata Karthikeyan’s potential political role.

While leaders such as Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh and senior legislator Pramila Mallik have said the final call rests solely with Naveen Patnaik, BJD MP Debashish Samantaray has earlier warned that her entry could be a political misstep, linking it to issues of public acceptability.

Similarly, senior BJD leader Bhupinder Singh had ‘warned’ against new faces joining the party. “To the best of my knowledge and understanding of people's sentiments, if any new person is introduced to the BJD, then the party will be at risk of splitting up. The party president is well aware of the damage that will befall if anyone is introduced,” Singh had said.

As of now, the BJD leadership has not announced any formal decision regarding Sujata Karthikeyan’s role.