Gujarat’s Cabinet reshuffle sees new deputy CM and inclusion of notable figures in government.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat executed a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday, marking significant changes in the state’s leadership. Harsh Sanghvi, who serves as the state Home Minister, was sworn in as the deputy chief minister. At 40 years old, Sanghvi has now become the youngest individual to hold this position in Gujarat’s history. In a notable addition, Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, was inducted as a minister.
This reshuffle follows the resignation of the entire state Cabinet, with the exception of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. However, the resignations of four ministers—Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai, Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Kunvarjibhai Mohanbhai Bavaliya, and Parshottambhai Odhavjibhai Solanki—were not accepted, and they have been retained in the new Cabinet. Alongside them, Sanghvi and another state minister, Praful Pansheriya, continue in their roles.
The reshuffled Cabinet was officially inaugurated during a ceremony led by Governor Acharya Devvrat. This event was attended by BJP National President JP Nadda, highlighting the significance of the occasion. The new Cabinet now consists of a total of 19 ministers who took their oaths of office, indicating a diverse representation within the government.
According to reports, the new Gujarat Cabinet features eight ministers from the Other Backward Classes community, six from the Patidar community, four members of the Scheduled Tribes, and three from the Scheduled Castes. Additionally, three of the newly inducted ministers are women, reflecting an effort towards inclusive governance.
The full list of newly inducted ministers includes Trikam Chhang, Swaroopji Thakor, Praveen Mali, PC Baranda, Darshana Vaghela, Kantilal Amritiya, Arjun Modhwadia, Pradyumn Vaja, Kaushik Vekaria, Jitendrabhai Vaghani, Ramanbhai Solanki, Kamleshbhai Patel, Sanjay Singh Mahida, Rameshbhai Katara, Prafull Panseria, Manisha Vakil, Ishwarsinh Patel, Dr. Jayrambhai Gamit, and Nareshbhai Patel.
The composition of the Cabinet is particularly important in light of the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, which has a cap of 27 ministers. The reshuffle comes as Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel continues his leadership after assuming office for a second term in December 2022, following the BJP’s victory in the Assembly elections held that month. This reshuffle marks a critical juncture for the BJP government as it seeks to address the state’s governance needs and respond to the political landscape ahead.
