Gujarat Cabinet Expansion: The new Gujarat cabinet under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel took oath at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on Friday. The ceremony marked the induction of 26 ministers in one of the biggest reshuffles since 2021. The major reshuffle comes after nearly three years into the current government’s term and as the state is heading for its local body elections across the state, including municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats. The allocation of portfolios remains under suspense as of now. According to the news reports, Chief Minister Patel is slated to meet Governor Acharya Devvrat after 9 am to submit the list of ministers who will be dropped and those to be inducted into the new cabinet.
What happened on Thursday?
The entire Gujarat cabinet, except chief minister Bhupendra Patel, resigned on Thursday, news agency PTI reported, citing sources. The cabinet comprised 16 members, including eight cabinet-rank ministers and nine ministers of state.
Why major cabinet reshuffle taking place?
The Gujarat cabinet expansion is meant to bring new energy to the government. It is also aimed at making the BJP’s administration in the state stronger. The move to bring in new faces to the Gujarat cabinet comes just three years into the government’s formation, and two years before the 2027 legislative assembly elections. Meanwhile, BJP National President JP Nadda reached Ahmedabad.
Governor Acharya Devvratji will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the designated ministers included in this expansion of the State Cabinet during the ceremony.
New Ministers for the Gujarat Cabinet
- Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel
- Trikam Bijal Chhanga
- Swarupji Sardarji Thakor
- Pravenkumar Mali
- Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel
- PC Baranda
- Darshana M Vaghela
- Kantratalal Shivalal Amrutia
- Kunwarjibhai Mohanbhai Bavaliya
- Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja
- Arjunbhai Devabhai Modhwadia
- Dr Pradyuman Vaja
- Kaushik Kantibhai Vekariya
- Parshottambhai O. Solanki
- Jitendrabhai Savjibhai Vaghani
- Ramanbhai Bhikhabhai Solanki
- Kamleshbhai Rameshbhai Patel
- Sanjaysinh Rajaysinh Mahida
- Rameshbhai Bhurabhai Katara
- Manisha Rajivbhai Vakil
- Ishwarsinh Thakorbhai Patel
- Praful Panseriya
- Harsh Sanghvi
- Dr Jayrambhai Chemabhai Gamit
- Nareshbhai Maganbhai Patel
- Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai
