In a substantial political move, Gujarat’s council of ministers has been reshaped with the induction of nineteen new faces and the retention of six existing members. This significant reshuffle saw eleven lawmakers depart from their ministerial roles, signaling the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) strategic administrative overhaul. The changes are strategically timed to prepare for crucial local body elections next year and the state assembly polls in 2027.
The official swearing-in ceremony took place at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office in the esteemed presence of BJP national president JP Nadda, Union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and CR Patil, and Gujarat BJP chief Jagdish Vishwakarma. This event followed a day after all 16 members of the previous cabinet submitted their resignations to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, speaking on X (formerly Twitter) after the ceremony, expressed his commitment: “By preserving our ancient heritage and the lofty human values of Indian culture, we will keep Gujarat forever at the forefront of development and ensure the welfare of every citizen of the state.”
A notable elevation was that of Harsh Sanghavi, a three-time MLA from Surat’s Majura constituency. He has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister, a post that had been vacant for nearly four years. The 40-year-old leader, who previously served as the Minister of State for Home, will now oversee a broad spectrum of portfolios. These include Home Affairs, Police Housing, Jails, Border Security, Civil Defence, Prohibition and Excise, Transport, Law and Justice, Sports, Youth and Cultural Affairs, Industries, MSME, Printing and Stationery, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. The Deputy CM position was last held by Nitin Patel in the Vijay Rupani government in 2021.
Sanghavi expressed his gratitude on X, stating, “Grateful for the love and support from everyone. Instead of hoardings and banners, let’s share our joy through social service and bring light to those in need.”
Chief Minister Patel himself will continue to hold key portfolios, including General Administration, Administrative Reforms and Training, Planning, Non-Resident Gujaratis’ Division, Revenue and Disaster Management, Roads and Buildings, Narmada, Kalpasar, Mines and Minerals, Ports, Information and Broadcasting, and all other portfolios not specifically allocated to other ministers.
The new council also features three women ministers: Rivaba Jadeja, MLA from Jamnagar North and wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja; Manisha Vakil; and Darshana Vaghela. Their inclusion underscores the BJP’s focus on promoting young and educated women in governance.
This cabinet reshuffle significantly broadens the council’s social and regional representation. It now includes seven Patidars (including the CM), eight members from Other Backward Classes, three from Scheduled Castes, four from Scheduled Tribes, and three women. The Saurashtra region, a critical player in state politics, is now represented by eight ministers, an increase from five in the previous cabinet.
The reshuffle also marked the departure of eleven ministers from the previous council. Among those dropped were Jamnagar Rural MLA Raghavji Patel and Devgadh Baria MLA Bachu Khabad. The latter faced criticism due to his son’s alleged involvement in an MGNREGA recruitment scam. Gujarat BJP chief Jagdish Vishwakarma was also relieved of his ministerial duties to concentrate on organizational responsibilities.
Arjun Modhwadia, the MLA from Porbandar and a former Gujarat Congress president who recently joined the BJP, has been allocated the portfolios of Forests and Environment, Climate Change, and Science and Technology. As a mechanical engineer, Modhwadia’s inclusion is seen as a move to strengthen the BJP’s influence in the Saurashtra region.
Jitubhai Vaghani, MLA from Bhavnagar West and former Education Minister, returns to the cabinet with charge over Agriculture, Cooperation, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Cow Breeding, enhancing rural and coastal representation. Naresh Patel will lead Tribal Development, Khadi, Cottage Industries, and Rural Industries. Pradyumn Vaja will oversee Social Justice and Empowerment, along with the entire Education portfolio, while Ramanbhai Solanki will manage Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs.
Several ministers continue in their roles. Kanubhai Desai remains Finance Minister, also handling Urban Development and Urban Housing. Rushikesh Patel retains Energy and Petrochemicals, Panchayat and Rural Housing, and Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs. Kunvarji Bavaliya continues with Labour, Skill Development and Employment, and Rural Development. Parshottam Solanki remains Minister of State for Fisheries. Praful Pansheriya has been appointed Minister of State for Health with independent charge. Notably, Sanghavi and Pansheriya are among the six members from the previous council whose resignations were not accepted, indicating their continued importance.
Ministers of State with independent charge include Ishwarsinh Patel (Water Resources and Water Supply), Prafull Panseriya (Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education), and Manisha Vakil (Women and Child Development, and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment).
The expanded team of Ministers of State includes Kantilal Amrutiya (Labour and Employment), Ramesh Katara (Agriculture and Cooperation), Darshana Vaghela (Urban Development and Urban Housing), Kaushik Vekariya (Law, Energy, and Petrochemicals), Pravinkumar Mali (Forests, Environment, Climate Change, and Transport), Dr. Jayrambhai Gamit (Sports, Industries, MSME, Tourism, and Civil Aviation), Trikam Chhanga (Higher and Technical Education), Kamlesh Patel (Finance, Home, Excise, and Civil Defence), Sanjaysinh Mahida (Revenue and Disaster Management, Panchayat and Rural Housing), PC Baranda (Tribal Development, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs), Swarupji Thakor (Khadi and Cottage Industries), and Rivaba Jadeja (Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education).
Following the ceremony, Chief Minister Patel convened the first meeting of the reconstituted cabinet. The meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, focused on immediate departmental coordination and the effective implementation of development and welfare schemes. Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi facilitated the proceedings.
In response to the reshuffle, Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda criticized the move, stating it “exposed the government’s failures.” He accused the BJP of merely changing faces rather than addressing core issues of corruption and administrative stagnation, adding, “Over half the ministers being dropped shows that this was a failed team.”