Ahmedabad: In a decisive political move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat has undertaken a major cabinet reshuffle, signaling a fresh phase in the state’s governance. The highlight of the reorganization is the elevation of Harsh Sanghvi to the position of Deputy Chief Minister, marking a historic moment as he becomes the youngest to hold the post in Gujarat’s history. Sanghvi, a three-time legislator from Majura in Surat, previously served as the Minister of State for Home and has steadily risen through the party ranks due to his political acumen and strong organizational skills.
The reshuffle also brings in 19 new faces to the cabinet, aiming to strengthen regional representation and ensure a broader social inclusivity. Among them is Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of renowned cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, who has been appointed Minister of State. This induction is a significant milestone in her political career, reflecting BJP’s strategy to blend experienced politicians with prominent public figures to energize its base. Jadeja represents Jamnagar North as a first-time MLA, and her appointment is seen as a signal of the party’s intent to attract diverse voter demographics.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers, in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat and BJP National President JP Nadda. The expanded cabinet now comprises 26 ministers, including eight from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), six from the Patidar community, four from Scheduled Tribes (ST), three from Scheduled Castes (SC), and three women ministers. This composition underlines the government’s focus on inclusivity and representation across social groups.
Political analysts suggest that the reshuffle is strategically timed to consolidate the BJP’s position ahead of upcoming electoral challenges. By promoting younger leaders like Harsh Sanghvi and including high-profile personalities such as Rivaba Jadeja, the party aims to strengthen its appeal across multiple voter segments. The move is also expected to energize local party cadres and enhance organizational efficiency in governance.
The list of new ministers includes Arjun Modhwadia, Jitendra Vaghani, Kantilal Amrutiya, Darshan Vaghela, Pratyuman Vaj, Manish Vakil, Swaroop G. Thakkar, Trikam Chhang, Jayram Gamit, P.C. Baran, Ramesh Kathar, Eshwar Singh Patel, Praveen Mali, Ramanbhai Solanki, Kamlesh Patel, Sanjay Singh Mahid, Naresh Patel, Rishikesh Patel (retained), Kunwarji Bavaliya (retained), Kanubhai Desai (retained), and Parshottam Solanki (retained).
This extensive cabinet reshuffle is expected to have a profound impact on Gujarat’s political dynamics. By balancing experienced leadership with new entrants, the state government aims to address diverse administrative priorities while strengthening its political base ahead of future challenges. The reshaped cabinet is likely to play a critical role in shaping policy initiatives and steering Gujarat through its developmental and socio-political aspirations in the coming years.