Gandhinagar, October 17, 2025: A major political reshuffle in Gujarat, as many as 25 BJP MLAs were sworn in as ministers on Friday, marking a complete overhaul of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar amid tight security and in the presence of senior BJP leaders.
Surat MLA Harsh Sanghavi took oath as the new Deputy Chief Minister, reviving a post that had remained vacant for years. Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife and first-time MLA from Jamnagar North, Rivaba Jadeja, was inducted as a Minister of State, while Arjun Modhwadia, a former Gujarat Congress president who defected to the BJP earlier this year, was sworn in as a cabinet minister.
The oath-taking came a day after all ministers in the state—except Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel—submitted their resignations, paving the way for a complete cabinet reconstitution. The move was part of a planned cabinet expansion and strategic balancing exercise, party insiders said, designed to bring in new faces and strengthen the BJP’s hold across caste, regional, and political lines ahead of the next Assembly election cycle.
The new council of ministers represents a mix of old and young leaders, blending administrative experience with fresh political energy. BJP strategists described the reshuffle as an effort to give wider representation to different regions, particularly Saurashtra and South Gujarat, while also recognising loyalty and performance.
With Sanghavi’s elevation, the party has signalled its trust in younger leadership. A three-term MLA from Surat, Sanghavi has been instrumental in youth outreach and law-and-order initiatives in the state.
Rivaba Jadeja’s induction, meanwhile, marks a rapid rise for the 33-year-old legislator, whose political journey began only a few years ago. Her entry into the council of ministers is being viewed as both a generational and symbolic gesture, given her popularity and the Jadeja family’s influence in Saurashtra.
The cabinet reshuffle also brings former Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia into the BJP’s executive fold, signalling the party’s strategy to consolidate defectors and expand its influence among traditional Congress strongholds.
Political observers said the move aligns with the BJP’s pattern of renewing its state leadership mid-term to maintain momentum, a strategy previously seen before key national elections.
With the new cabinet in place, Chief Minister Patel is expected to call the first meeting of his council within the next few days to allocate portfolios and outline governance priorities for the coming months.
