Gandhinagar, Oct 17:
The BJP government in Gujarat on Friday announced a major reshuffle, unveiling a 25-member cabinet under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. In a significant political development, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister, while Rivaba Jadeja, wife of Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, was inducted as a minister for the first time.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, where Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers. The event was attended by senior BJP leaders, MLAs, and top officials.
Harsh Sanghavi, a young and dynamic face of the BJP, secured a landslide victory in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, defeating his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rival by a margin of over one lakh votes. Known for his organisational skills and close association with the youth, Sanghavi has played a crucial role in the party’s outreach and governance strategy in the state.
The inclusion of Rivaba Jadeja, who represents the Jamnagar North constituency, marks her first ministerial role since entering politics. Her induction is being seen as an attempt by the BJP to strengthen its appeal among women and youth voters, particularly in the Saurashtra region.
The new cabinet aims to bring together a mix of experience and youth, reflecting the BJP’s strategy to ensure continuity while promoting emerging leaders ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who retained his post after leading the party to a record victory in 2022, said the new team would focus on inclusive development, good governance, and efficient public service delivery, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Gujarat, Viksit Bharat.”
