The Gujarat Cabinet underwent a significant overhaul on Thursday, as all 16 ministers, excluding Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, submitted their resignations in anticipation of a reshuffle.
An official statement announced that the new cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in on October 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The state of Gujarat, with a 182-member assembly, can accommodate a maximum of 27 ministers, constituting 15% of the assembly’s strength. Currently, the cabinet includes a total of 17 ministers, which comprises 8 cabinet ministers and 8 ministers of state.
The forthcoming cabinet expansion is perceived as a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing the administration and fortifying the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) governance structure in Gujarat. This reshuffling comes as part of the BJP’s broader efforts to refresh its leadership in the state ahead of future electoral challenges, specifically two years prior to the 2027 legislative assembly elections.
BJP National President JP Nadda has arrived in Ahmedabad, further indicating the significance of this developmental phase within the cabinet. Governor Acharya Devvratji will officiate the oath of office and secrecy for the newly appointed ministers during the ceremony.
The current cabinet includes Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai, Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Raghavjibhai Hansrajbhai Patel, Balvantsinh Chandansinh Rajput, Kunvarjibhai Mohanbhai Bavaliya, Mulubhai Hardasbhai Bera, Kuberbhai Mansukhbhai Dindor, Bhanuben Manoharbhai Babariya, Harsh Rameshkumar Sanghavi, Jagdishbhai Ishwarbhai Panchal, Parshottambhai Odhavjibhai Solanki, Bachubhai Maganbhai Khabad, Mukeshbhai Zinabhai Patel, Praful Chhaganbhai Pansheriya, Bhikusinhji Chatursinhji Parmar, and Kunvarjibhai Narsinhbhai Halpati.
As stipulated by Article 164(A) of the Indian Constitution, a state cabinet should not exceed 15% of the legislative assembly’s total strength, which establishes a minimum of 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Earlier this month, Jagdish Vishwakarma, the minister of state in the Gujarat government, was appointed the new president of the BJP’s Gujarat unit, succeeding Union minister C R Paatil. Patel, who took the oath as Gujarat CM for the second time on December 12, 2022, is central to this cabinet reshuffle, which reflects the party’s intention to rejuvenate its leadership in the state.
(With inputs from agencies)
