Gujarat Cabinet Expansion Today: Rivaba, Alpesh among 15 Likely New Ministers in BJP Overhaul

Gujarat Cabinet Expansion: There is going to be a big upheaval in the politics of Gujarat. The state cabinet will be expanded today at 11:30 am, which may include about 25 members. According to BJP sources, 15 to 16 new faces will get a chance, while 6 old ministers can be given the responsibility again. The ceremony will be held in the presence of BJP national president JP Nadda, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah may also attend it.

This step is being taken to strengthen the government led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. On Thursday, all 16 ministers except CM Patel had resigned, leading to speculation. At present the Council of Ministers has 17 members, which include 8 cabinet ministers and the rest ministers of state. According to the 182 seats of the Gujarat Assembly, a maximum of 27 ministers can be made.

Who is in the race?

BJP is focusing on diversity and young faces in the new cabinet. Possible new names include:

• Jeetubhai Vaghani
• Arjun Modhwadia
• Dr. Pradyumna Waja
• Naresh Patel
• Rivaba Jadeja (daughter-in-law of Amit Shah and wife of former cricketer Dinesh Karthik)
• Alpesh Thakor (prominent leader of OBC community)
• Praveen Mali
• Anirudh Dave or Amit Thakar
• Ramesh Solanki
• Uday Kangarh
• Jairam Gavit
• pc veranda
• Kantibhai Amritiya
• Darshana Vaghela

A chance for old faces again?

There is discussion of re-inducting some experienced leaders. These may include:

• Hrishikesh Patel
• Kanubhai Desai
• Kunwarji Bavaliya
• Balwantsingh Rajput
• Harsh Sanghvi
• Prafull Panseria

However, Gujarat BJP's new president, Jagdish Vishwakarma, will not get a place in the Council of Ministers due to the 'one person, one post' policy. Vishwakarma had taken over as president earlier this month in place of Union Minister CR Patil.

Role of Nadda-Shah, oath in Raj Bhavan

On Thursday evening, JP Nadda reached Gandhinagar and held discussions with CM Patel and other senior leaders. According to a PTI report, the swearing-in will take place at Raj Bhavan. This expansion is being considered a part of BJP's strategy, keeping in mind the upcoming elections. New faces will increase the representation of different communities, which can give a new direction to the state government. This change will infuse new energy into the politics of Gujarat. All eyes are now on the morning ceremony.