Gandhinagar: In a major political overhaul, the Bhupendra Patel-led Gujarat government executed a sweeping cabinet reshuffle on Friday, elevating former Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, to the position of Deputy Chief Minister.
The massive exercise saw the swearing-in of a 26-member Council of Ministers by Governor Acharya Devvrat at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The move comes less than three years into the current term and is widely seen as a strategic reset by the BJP ahead of the crucial local body polls and the 2027 State Assembly elections.
Key Developments and Inductions
- Harsh Sanghavi’s Ascent: The three-time MLA from Majura, Surat, who previously held the influential Home portfolio as MoS, has now been formally appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister, making him one of the youngest to hold the position in the state’s history.
- The Full Cabinet Resignation: The reshuffle was preceded by the dramatic mass resignation of all 16 ministers on Thursday, excluding Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, allowing the party high command complete flexibility in restructuring the government.
- Rivaba Jadeja’s Debut: Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife and Jamnagar North MLA, Rivaba Jadeja, was inducted into the Cabinet as a minister for the first time, adding a new face with popular appeal.
- Mix of Experience and Fresh Faces: The new cabinet blends continuity with new energy. While six ministers from the previous government—including Rushikesh Patel, Kanubhai Desai, Kunvarji Bavaliya, and Praful Pansheriya—were retained, the new council features a significant induction of new faces.
- Focus on Social and Regional Balance: The new cabinet composition appears to be a careful mix of social and regional representation. The council includes a balanced representation from the politically significant Patidar, OBC, SC, and ST communities.
Strategic Implications
The extensive cabinet shake-up, which increases the total strength to 26 (just one short of the constitutional limit of 27 for the 182-member assembly), signals the BJP’s intention to consolidate power and inject fresh organizational drive into the state administration. The promotion of a young leader like Sanghavi highlights the party’s focus on generational transition and rewarding effective performance.
Portfolio allocations for the newly sworn-in ministers are expected to be announced shortly.
