Who will succeed Naveen Patnaik? Shreemayee hints at tension in BJD over VK Pandian and his wife’s role

Suspended Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Shreemayee Mishra has once again stirred internal party debate ahead of the BJD’s foundation day with a cryptic social media post that has been widely interpreted as a pointed comment on the party’s succession question and the speculation surrounding Sujata R Karthikeyan’s possible political entry.

Without naming any individual, Mishra posted a poem on social media that appeared to question the absence of a clear signal from the BJD leadership on succession, while indirectly alluding to recent political manoeuvring and internal chaos for a position.

The post has drawn attention for its timing, coming days before the party’s foundation day, when speculation had intensified about potential organisational changes.

VK Pandian In Picture, Rifts Still Hidden

In the poem, Mishra suggested that the “green signal” from the party leadership had not been given, leaving an unnamed figure “hurt” by the lack of clarity.

She referred to visible tension within the party over alignments, leadership loyalty, and future positioning, hinting at behind-the-scenes competition over who might inherit the party’s political mantle.

The post also carried references to recent political activities on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, widely seen as an allusion to private gatherings involving senior leaders.

"It doesn't appear that any leader would risk going openly against Naveen Patnaik. However, many are still critical of his decisions. Yet, if they openly protest, then they are wary of losing their existence. Naveen Patnaik had earlier publicly endorsed Pandian, and that still lingers among many leaders. This friction is likely holding Patnaik back from making a stern decision,” said senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty.

Mishra further wrote about individuals resigning from jobs, organising platforms, renouncing public life, or displaying overt loyalty, while uncertainty continued over who would eventually receive the “green crown,” a phrase interpreted by many as symbolic of BJD leadership succession.

She concluded by stating that the party supremo was not giving importance to anyone in particular, a line that has fuelled further discussion within political circles about whether the leadership intends to keep succession open-ended.

ALSO READ: VK Pandian only a manager, not a leader: BJD’s Sambit Routray

Link to Sujata Karthikeyan Speculation

Political observers have linked Mishra’s latest post to ongoing speculation that Sujata R Karthikeyan, wife of former bureaucrat and BJD’s influential figure, VK Pandian, could formally join the party around the foundation day. Such speculation has circulated for weeks, particularly after Karthikeyan took voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service earlier this year.

While Mishra did not mention Karthikeyan by name, the language and references in her post were widely interpreted as indirect commentary on these rumours. Sources familiar with internal party discussions said the post appeared aimed at questioning both the process and optics of any potential leadership transition.

As of the time of filing this report, the BJD has not issued any statement responding to Mishra’s latest post. There has also been no official confirmation regarding Sujata R Karthikeyan’s possible induction into the party or any leadership role.