Bhubaneswar: In a significant political mobilisation since the 2024 election setback, BJD president Naveen Patnaik has convened a meeting of party’s MPs, MLAs, office-bearers and senior functionaries at Sankha Bhawan, BJD’s headquarters, on Thursday.Wednesday’s move comes a day after BJP state president Manmohan Samal said a number of BJD and Congress functionaries are in touch with his party, with Bargarh BJP MP Pradeep Purohit even claiming that several BJD members could switch sides.Former IAS officer Sujata Kartikeyan, wife of Naveen’s close aide V K Pandian, is likely to join the BJD during the meeting. While Sujata did not respond to queries, two former ministers and party office-bearers confirmed her impending entry.It is learnt that on Wednesday, key BJD functionaries attended a closed door meeting at Naveen’s residence where Sujata’s joining was discussed.BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said, “Naveen will address party workers and interact with them,” adding that further details will emerge during the meeting.Sujata, a Kendrapada native and a 2000-batch IAS officer, has served as district collector of Cuttack and Sundargarh and as Mission Shakti secretary, among other roles. Her entry has long been speculated but the timing is significant given the recent spate of desertions from regional parties in states like Punjab, West Bengal and Maharashtra in favour of the NDA.Party insiders said the meeting and Sujata’s entry could energise workers, with Naveen expected to outline a roadmap for the BJD’s revival.While Pandian spearheaded the BJD’s campaign strategy in the 2019 and 2024 elections and has since kept a low public profile, Kartikeyan, who took voluntary retirement in March 2025, is tipped to play a key role in the party, a BJD member said.BJD functionaries, however, remain divided about Kartikeyan’s entry. “I won’t attend the meeting. I don’t want to be part of such a foolish plan,” an MLA said. Others, though, backed the move, saying the entry of an “educated, capable and grounded” person would benefit the party.
