Gandhinagar: In a major political development, all 16 ministers of Gujarat’s Bhupendra Patel government have tendered their resignations ahead of a complete cabinet reshuffle. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is expected to meet Governor Acharya Devvrat at Raj Bhavan this evening to submit the list of new ministers. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Friday, 11:30 a.m. at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, where the Governor will administer the oath to the incoming cabinet.
The cabinet meeting that usually takes place every Wednesday was skipped on October 15, and Thursday’s meeting was postponed, leading to speculation about imminent ministerial changes. BJP MLAs and ministers have been instructed to remain in Gandhinagar for the next two days.
Key Political Activity in Gandhinagar
Organisational activity has intensified in the state capital. BJP National Organising General Secretary Sunil Bansal reached Gujarat and met with state leaders, including BJP General Secretary Ratnakar and Gandhinagar city unit president Ashish Dave. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel returned from Mumbai earlier this afternoon, and several party MLAs have converged at their official residences.
An important meeting is scheduled at the Chief Minister’s residence tonight at 8 p.m., which will be attended by all BJP MLAs. Party President J.P. Nadda is expected to address the legislators, during which the new ministers to be inducted will be informed of their roles. The CM will then meet the Governor at 9 p.m. to present the final list. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also expected to arrive in Gandhinagar later tonight.
Countdown to the New Cabinet
- CM Bhupendra Patel returned from Mumbai at 3 p.m.
- Sunil Bansal reached Gujarat on Thursday.
- BJP National President J.P. Nadda to arrive by 7 p.m.
- Key meeting with MLAs at CM House at 8 p.m.
- New ministers to be finalized before 9 p.m.
- CM to submit final list to Governor.
- Oath-taking ceremony at Mahatma Mandir at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Preparations are already in motion at Mahatma Mandir, with security tightened and arrangements made for senior political figures expected to attend.
Regional and Community Representation
According to party sources, the new cabinet may feature increased representation from the Saurashtra region. Leaders such as Jayesh Radadiya and Jitu Vaghani are being considered for key portfolios, with Vaghani potentially taking charge of Home Affairs. The Patidar community is likely to gain more prominence, while northern Gujarat’s Thakor leaders may also be included. South Gujarat, however, might see relatively fewer appointments.
Ministers Likely to Exit
Cabinet ministers expected to be dropped include Kanubhai Desai (Finance), Raghavji Patel (Agriculture), Kunwarji Bavaliya (Water Supply), Balwantsinh Rajput (Industries), Mulubhai Bera (Tourism), Kuber Dindor (Education), and Bhanuben Babaria (Social Justice).
Among Ministers of State, those likely to lose their posts include Purushottam Solanki (Fisheries), Bachubhai Khabar (Panchayat), Mukesh Patel (Environment), Bhikhusinh Parmar (Food and Civil Supplies), and Kunwarji Halpati (Tribal Development).
New Faces Expected
Prominent names being discussed for inclusion include former minister Jayesh Radadiya, Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Rajkot MLA Uday Kangad, Vejalpur MLA Amit Thakar, Ellisbridge MLA Amit Shah, and Rajula MLA Hira Solanki. Also among the potential inductees are Rivaba Jadeja (Jamnagar), Arjun Modhwadia (Porbandar), Aniruddha Dave (Mandvi-Kutch), Sandeep Desai (Choryasi), Sangeeta Patil (Limbayat), and Pankaj Desai (Nadiad).
Leaders who joined BJP from Congress including Alpesh Thakor, Hardik Patel, and C.J. Chavda—are also being considered for ministerial roles.
Why the Cabinet Reshuffle Now?
The reshuffle comes after nearly three years since the last major change in Gujarat’s cabinet. Party insiders say the move is driven by preparations for the 2027 state elections and dissatisfaction within the high command over some ministers’ performance. The recent Visavadar bypoll result, in which the AAP made inroads, has also influenced the timing of this reorganization.
Bhupendra Patel, who took over as Chief Minister in 2021 after Vijay Rupani’s resignation, led the BJP to a record victory in the 2022 Assembly elections, winning 156 seats. The upcoming cabinet marks another decisive step as the BJP begins gearing up for the 2027 battle.