Major Overhaul in Bhupendra Patel Cabinet: In a dramatic political development in Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has accepted the resignations of all 16 ministers from his cabinet, setting the stage for a major reshuffle. The new Bhupendra Patel Cabinet will take oath on Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The oath ceremony will be administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat, who returned early from his scheduled visit to Kurukshetra to oversee the event.
Sources from the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that Patel will submit the final list of new ministers to the Governor late Thursday night after a high-level meeting with BJP national leaders. The reshuffle signals a significant political recalibration in the state government, possibly including the appointment of a new Deputy Chief Minister and several fresh faces.
All Ministers Submit Resignations as BJP Plans a Fresh Start
According to senior officials, all existing cabinet members tendered their resignations earlier today. While a few ministers — around four or five — are likely to be reappointed, the rest will make way for new entrants. Those who will continue in office are expected to retain their resignations temporarily until final approval is granted.
Many ministers have already begun clearing their offices in Swarnim Sankul, the state secretariat complex. Personal assistants and office staff were seen helping with the transfer of files and personal belongings. Government vehicles, including new Innova Hycross cars, have been stationed outside the ministers’ quarters, indicating a complete transition in the offing.
Officials said the Chief Minister will personally call the selected ministers late tonight to inform them of their inclusion in the new Bhupendra Patel Cabinet, a process that could stretch well past midnight.
BJP’s High Command Takes Full Charge
The reshuffle in Gujarat is being directly supervised by the BJP’s national leadership. National President J.P. Nadda is scheduled to arrive in Ahmedabad at 6 p.m. and will head straight to the Chief Minister’s residence in Gandhinagar for a crucial meeting at 8 p.m.
The meeting will be attended by Sunil Bansal, BJP’s National General Secretary (Organization), Gujarat in-charge Bhupender Yadav, and other senior party strategists. During the meeting, the final names of new ministers will be discussed and approved.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel returned from Mumbai earlier in the afternoon to join these deliberations. Around 40 BJP MLAs are already stationed at the MLA quarters in Gandhinagar following party instructions to remain available for immediate discussions.
Countdown Begins for the New Bhupendra Patel Cabinet
Political developments have been fast-paced since Thursday morning:
- National General Secretary Sunil Bansal arrived in Gujarat early in the day.
- CM Bhupendra Patel returned from Mumbai by 3 p.m.
- All 16 ministers submitted their resignations.
- BJP National President J.P. Nadda landed in the evening.
- A key meeting was scheduled for 8 p.m. at the CM’s residence.
- The final list of ministers will be handed to the Governor by 9 p.m.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to arrive in Gujarat later tonight.
- The new cabinet will take oath at Mahatma Mandir at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Preparations for the oath-taking ceremony have already begun at Mahatma Mandir, where tight security arrangements and seating plans for top BJP leaders and invited dignitaries are underway.
Indications of Major Structural Changes in the Government
The upcoming Bhupendra Patel Cabinet reshuffle is not a routine expansion but a large-scale reorganization, signaling the party’s intent to revitalize the state administration ahead of the 2027 Assembly Elections.
Usually, cabinet reshuffles are modest, but this time, the presence of key national leaders such as Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda, and Sunil Bansal has heightened speculation that sweeping changes are imminent.
Political insiders suggest that the new cabinet may include a Deputy Chief Minister, a position that has remained vacant since 2021. The size of the cabinet is likely to expand to 27 members, including new faces from various regions, particularly Saurashtra, which is expected to gain significant representation.
Cleaning, Preparation, and Symbolism
Ahead of the reshuffle, both sections of the Swarnim Sankul administrative complex underwent complete cleaning. This symbolic act traditionally precedes the arrival of a new council of ministers. Several MLAs have been advised to remain in Gandhinagar until further notice.
The BJP leadership is also considering appointing six to seven Parliamentary Secretaries to assist ministers in key departments.
Governor Acharya Devvrat has cut short his Kurukshetra visit and returned to Gujarat in light of the sudden developments, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s transition.
Political Equations: Saurashtra Likely to Gain Weight
Within the BJP’s Gujarat unit, discussions are rife that Saurashtra will receive greater representation this time. With both Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state BJP President Jagdish Panchal hailing from Ahmedabad, the region’s leaders had reportedly felt sidelined.
The recent political momentum of AAP leader Gopal Italia in Saurashtra has also prompted the BJP to strengthen its base there. Names like Jayesh Radadiya and Jitu Vaghani are being mentioned as likely inductees, with Vaghani possibly being given the Home Department.
Leaders from North Gujarat’s Thakor community are also expected to gain important portfolios, while South Gujarat may see relatively fewer inclusions this time.
Ministers Who Might Be Dropped
According to early indications, several existing ministers are likely to be dropped, including:
- Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai
- Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel
- Water Supply Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya
- Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput
- Tourism Minister Mulubhai Bera
- Education Minister Kuber Dindor
- Social Justice Minister Bhanu Babariya
Among the Ministers of State who may exit are Purushottam Solanki, Bachu Khabad, Mukesh Patel, Bhikhu Parmar, and Kunvarji Halpati.
Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, when asked about the cabinet expansion during an event in Godhra, declined to comment — a move widely seen as a sign of uncertainty about his future in the government.
Probable New Faces in the Bhupendra Patel Cabinet
Several new faces are being considered for inclusion in the Bhupendra Patel Cabinet. Among them are:
- Former minister Jayesh Radadiya
- Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary
- Rajkot MLA Uday Kangad
- Vejalpur MLA Amit Thakar
- Ellisbridge MLA Amit Shah (Amit Popatlal Shah)
- Rajula MLA Hira Solanki
- Savarkundla MLA Mahesh Kaswala
- Amreli MLA Kaushik Vekariya
- Jamnagar MLA Rivaba Jadeja (wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja)
- Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia (ex-Congress)
- Mandvi (Kutch) MLA Aniruddh Dave
- Choriyasi MLA Sandeep Desai
- Limbayat MLA Sangeeta Patil
- Nadiad MLA Pankaj Desai
Additionally, Alpesh Thakor, Hardik Patel, and C.J. Chavda—all former Congress leaders who joined the BJP—may also be offered ministerial positions.
Performance and Political Fallout
Political observers believe that the reshuffle is also driven by dissatisfaction from the BJP’s national leadership over the performance of several ministers. The government’s failure to retain the Visavadar Assembly seat during the recent by-election — won by the Aam Aadmi Party’s Gopal Italia — is being seen as a major trigger.
The defeat, despite the involvement of senior BJP figures including CM Patel and the state party president, has raised concerns about grassroots governance and communication. The new cabinet will, therefore, aim to re-energize the government’s public image and repair any electoral damage.
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BJP’s Strategy: Balancing Reform and Stability
The BJP’s top brass reportedly aims to blend experienced leaders with emerging talent to project both continuity and change. The party may also reinstate some seasoned politicians who had been sidelined in recent years, in a move described as “damage control.”
With municipal and panchayat elections approaching early next year, followed by the 2027 Assembly polls, the party wants to counter any anti-incumbency sentiment through fresh leadership and public outreach.
Why Cabinet Expansion Is Necessary
Cabinet reshuffles are not new to Gujarat’s politics. Since Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister, the BJP has consistently undertaken timely leadership changes to stay ahead of public sentiment. Similar sudden transitions occurred when Anandiben Patel and Vijay Rupani resigned before their terms ended.
The current reshuffle is viewed as part of that long-standing BJP strategy — to pre-empt anti-incumbency by introducing a dynamic mix of ministers and ensuring stronger regional representation.
The Bhupendra Patel Cabinet formed in 2022 had 16 members — eight of cabinet rank and eight ministers of state. Remarkably, there has been no major change for three years, and the leadership now seeks to reinvigorate governance before the next election cycle begins.
Lessons from the 2021 Transition
In 2021, the BJP stunned political circles by replacing the entire Vijay Rupani Cabinet, including the Chief Minister, overnight. Bhupendra Patel was then chosen as the new face of the government, leading the party to a historic victory in the 2022 Assembly elections, winning 156 seats.
The current overhaul appears to mirror that moment — though this time, Patel himself remains at the helm, indicating confidence in his leadership but dissatisfaction with his team’s execution.
Amreli and Saurashtra: Political Epicenters Once Again
Amreli district, historically the epicenter of Saurashtra politics, is likely to gain representation in the new cabinet. In 2017, all five assembly seats from the district were held by Congress, but in 2022 the BJP swept all of them.
Given the region’s dominance by Patidar and Koli communities, both groups are expected to secure strong representation. If current minister Purushottam Solanki is not reappointed due to health reasons, Hira Solanki of Rajula or Kaushik Vekariya of Amreli could fill that slot.
Also read: Jagdish Vishwakarma in Rajkot on Wednesday: Grand Welcome with Car and Bike Rally
Preparing for 2027: The Long Game
BJP insiders reveal that preparations for the 2027 Gujarat Assembly elections are already underway. Some senior local leaders, dissatisfied with their roles, have opened personal offices to begin groundwork for potential independent campaigns. The party is keen to prevent any internal rebellion and therefore seeks to accommodate diverse factions within the new Bhupendra Patel Cabinet.
The upcoming reshuffle is thus not only about governance but also about securing unity and voter confidence ahead of a crucial electoral cycle.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Gujarat Politics
The sweeping resignations and impending induction of a revamped Bhupendra Patel Cabinet mark one of the most significant political transitions since 2021. With the inclusion of new leaders, greater regional balance, and the backing of the BJP’s top brass, the Patel government aims to reinforce its image as efficient, inclusive, and electorally ready.
As Gujarat heads into the next phase of political realignment, all eyes will be on Mahatma Mandir tomorrow morning — where the oath ceremony will not just mark the birth of a new cabinet, but also the beginning of a renewed political strategy for the world’s longest-ruling BJP state government.
