Is Harsh Sanghavi the New Deputy CM After Gujarat's Major Cabinet Overhaul?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Harsh Sanghavi appointed as new Deputy Chief Minister.
- This marks the largest cabinet reshuffle since 2021.
- Nine ministers from the previous cabinet have been dropped.
- Fresh faces introduced to strengthen leadership.
- The reshuffle is part of a strategy for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Gandhinagar, Oct 17 (NationPress) In a significant reorganization of the Gujarat cabinet, prominent BJP figure Harsh Sanghavi was officially sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister on Friday. The oath-taking event took place at the Mahatma Mandir, where 25 ministers were welcomed into Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s revamped cabinet.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat to the newly appointed ministers.
The updated council of ministers consists of 5 Cabinet Ministers, 3 Ministers of State (Independent Charge), and 12 Ministers of State.
This marks the most extensive reshuffle of the Gujarat cabinet since 2021, with nine ministers from the prior cabinet being excluded while seven have been retained.
Among the noteworthy additions is Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, who is stepping into the role of Minister of State for the first time. Another significant newcomer is Arjun Modhwadia, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP last year, a strategic move perceived as a way to bolster the BJP's influence in Saurashtra.
The newly sworn-in Cabinet Ministers include Jitendrabhai Vaghani, Nareshbhai Patel, Modhwadia, Pradyumanbhai Vaja, and Ramanbhai Solanki.
The ministers of state (independent charge) now include Ishwar Singh Patel, Prafulabhai Pansuriya, and Manisha Vakil.
The newly appointed Ministers of State are Kantilal Amritia, Rameshbhai Katara, Darshanbhai Vaghela, Kaushikbhai Vekaria, Pravinkumar Mali, Jayrambhai Gamit, Trikambhai Chhanga, Kamleshbhai Patel, Sanjaysinh Mahida, P.C. Baranda, Swarupji Thakor, and Jadeja.
Senior Cabinet Ministers Kanubhai Desai, Rishikeshbhai Patel, Kunwarjibhai Bavaliya, and Purushottambhai Solanki have been retained in the new assembly.
This reshuffle follows a late-night discussion between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and BJP President J.P. Nadda, signaling a broader strategic initiative by the party to revitalize its leadership ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Nadda, Gujarat BJP chief Jagdish Vishwakarma, Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and C.R. Paatil, as well as various MPs, MLAs, senior party officials, dignitaries, and top state officials, including Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, who oversaw the proceedings.
All ministers from the previous cabinet had submitted their resignations on Thursday evening, paving the way for this major political reshuffle intended to introduce new faces and maintain regional balance in governance.