Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday announced a major cabinet reshuffle, inducting 19 new ministers and retaining six from his previous team. The reshuffle marks a significant political move ahead of the 2027 assembly elections and upcoming local body polls.
Harsh Sanghavi, one of the key faces of the ruling BJP in the state, has been elevated as Deputy Chief Minister and assigned the prominent Home Ministry portfolio. Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife, Rivaba Jadeja, has also joined the council of ministers as the Minister of State, holding charge of Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education.
With this expansion, the Gujarat cabinet now includes 26 members, including the Chief Minister, up from the earlier 17. The state constitution allows a maximum of 27 ministers, or 15% of the total strength of the 182-member Assembly.
Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers and those given independent or elevated roles.
Key Assignments in the New Cabinet
- Bhupendra Patel (Chief Minister): General Administration, Planning, Revenue and Disaster Management, Roads and Buildings, Mines and Minerals, Ports, Narmada, Information and Broadcasting, and other departments not allocated to other ministers.
- Harsh Sanghavi (Deputy Chief Minister): Home, Police Housing, Jail, Border Security, Gram Rakshak Dal, Civil Defence, Prohibition and Excise, Transport, Law and Justice, Sports and Youth Affairs, Tourism, Cultural Activities, and MSME sectors.
- Kanubhai Desai: Finance, Urban Development, and Urban Housing.
- Rushikesh Patel: Energy and Petrochemicals, Panchayat and Rural Housing, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs.
- Arjun Modhwadia: Forests and Environment, Climate Change, Science and Technology.
- Jitu Vaghani: Agriculture, Cooperation, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Cow Breeding.
- Pradyuman Vaaja: Social Justice and Empowerment, Primary, Secondary, Adult, Higher, and Technical Education.
- Naresh Patel: Tribal Development, Khadi, Cottage, and Rural Industries.
- Raman Solanki: Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs.
Ministers of State (Key Appointments)
- Ishwarsinh Patel — Water Resources, Water Supply (Independent Charge)
- Praful Panseriya — Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education (Independent Charge)
- Manisha Vakil — Women and Child Development (Independent Charge), Social Justice (MoS)
- Parshottam Solanki — Fisheries
- Kaantilal Amrutiya — Labour and Employment
- Ramesh Katara — Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
- Darshanaben Vaghela — Urban Development
- Kaushik Vekariya — Law, Energy, and Parliamentary Affairs
- Pravin Mali — Forests, Environment, and Transport
- Jayarambhai Gamit — Youth Services, Tourism, and MSMEs
- Trikambhai Changa — Higher and Technical Education
- Kamlesh Patel — Finance, Police, and Jail Administration
- Sanjaysinh Mahida — Revenue and Rural Development
- Punambhai Baranda — Tribal Development and Consumer Affairs
- Swarupji Thakor — Khadi and Rural Industries
- Rivaba Jadeja — Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education
This large-scale reshuffle signals a generational shift within the Gujarat BJP leadership. By combining experienced ministers with emerging figures like Rivaba Jadeja, the new cabinet reflects a balance between continuity and change as the state readies for the political road to 2027.
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