The Gujarat cabinet reshuffle was announced on Friday, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel retaining general administration, administrative reforms and training and other departments.
Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi has been allotted home, police housing, jails, border security, Gram Rakshak Dal, civil defence, prohibition and excise, transport, law and justice, sports and youth services and other departments.
Minister Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai will get finance, urban development and urban housing.
Minister Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel has been given the portfolios of Power and Petrochemicals, Panchayats and Rural Housing, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs.
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Minister Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja receives primary, secondary and adult education.
Apart from Harsh Sanghavi, five Cabinet Ministers, three Ministers of State (Independent Representatives) and twelve Ministers of State took oath.
Jitendrabhai Vaghani, Nareshbhai Patel, Arjunbhai Modhwadia, Dr Pradyumanbhai Vaja and Ramanbhai Solanki took oath of office and secrecy as Cabinet Ministers.
Ishwarsinh Patel, Prafullbhai Pansheriya and Manisha Vakil sworn in as Ministers of State (Independent Representative),
Kantilal Amrutiya, Rameshbhai Katara, Darshanaben Vaghela, Kaushikbhai Vekariya, Pravinkumar Mali, Dr Jayrambhai Gamit, Trikambhai Chhanga, Kamleshbhai Patel, Sanjaysinh Mahida, PC Baranda, Swaroopji Thadej and Rivaba of the state.
Kanubhai Desai, Rushikeshbhai Patel, Kunwarjibhai Bavaliya were retained as Cabinet Ministers and Parshottambhai Solanki as Minister of State.
Union minister and BJP chief JP Nadda attended the swearing-in ceremony.
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Governor Acharya Devvrat administered oath of office to the newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister and Ministers in the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
A government statement said the oath-taking ceremony was also attended by Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma, union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and CR Patil, MPs, MLAs, organization officials, senior leaders, saints and leaders from various sections of society.
How did the rejig change the Gujarat cabinet?
With this rejig, the total strength of the Gujarat Council of Ministers has now increased to 26, including the CM, from 17 earlier. A state that has a 182-member assembly can have a maximum of 27 ministers (15 percent of the strength of the House).
Who are the ministers this time?
The CM dropped 10 ministers as part of the reshuffle, including senior leaders like Industries Minister Balwantsinh Rajput, Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Bhanuben Babariya and Forest and Environment Minister Mulu Bera.
Rivaba Jadeja – a surprise entry
A surprise entry into the cabinet is that of Rivaba Jadeja, who was sworn in as a minister of state. Her husband, cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, and their daughter attended the oath-taking ceremony.
Congratulating his wife on the post on X, the cricketer said, “I am so proud of you and your achievements. I know you will continue to do amazing work and inspire people from all walks of life. I wish you all the best as a Cabinet Minister in the Gujarat government.”
