In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Gujarat has expanded its council of ministers to 26, with a notable reshuffle that includes the elevation of Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi to the position of Deputy Chief Minister. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel administering the oath in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat.
Sanghvi, who has been serving as the Home Minister, took the oath as the Deputy Chief Minister, marking a significant step in his political career. He secured a decisive victory in the 2022 Assembly elections, defeating his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opponent by over one lakh votes.
Among the new faces inducted into the Cabinet is Rivaba Jadeja, wife of Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja. Rivaba Jadeja, who previously served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Jamnagar North, has been appointed as a minister in the new Cabinet. Her induction is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the BJP’s presence in the Saurashtra region.
The reshuffle also sees the return of several ministers, including Rishikesh Patel, Kanubhai Desai, Kunwarji Bavaliya, Praful Panseria, and Parshottam Solanki, who have retained their positions. Notably, Rishikesh Patel, Kanubhai Desai, Kunwarji Bavaliya, and Parshottam Solanki did not take the oath again, as their portfolios remain unchanged.
This Cabinet expansion is viewed as an effort by the BJP to rejuvenate its leadership and address regional dynamics ahead of future elections. The inclusion of new faces like Rivaba Jadeja is expected to bolster the party’s appeal among various communities in Gujarat.