Digital New Guru Gujarat Desk:
Gujarat Govt Rejig: Deputy CM Role Revived with Harsh Sanghavi, Rivaba Jadeja Sworn In
On 17 October 2025, Gujarat witnessed a dramatic reconfiguration of its political leadership with a sweeping cabinet reshuffle by Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel. The move saw the induction of 19 new faces into the Council of Ministers, the retention of only six from the previous cabinet, and the reinstatement of the Deputy Chief Minister post in the state after a hiatus. Among the most eye-catching changes: Harsh Sanghavi was elevated to the position of Deputy CM with responsibility for the Home Ministry, and Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja, MLA from Jamnagar North, was inducted as Minister of State.
A Return of the Deputy CM Post & New Power Equations
One of the most significant dimensions of this reshuffle is the revival of the Deputy Chief Minister’s role in Gujarat, a post that had lain vacant under the Patel administration since 2021. Harsh Sanghavi, currently the sitting MLA from the Majura constituency in Surat, was chosen to assume this role.
In the rearranged hierarchy, Sanghavi has also been assigned the Home Ministry portfolio (along with related responsibilities such as Police, Housing, Jail, Border Security, etc.). This positioning elevates him significantly in the administrative and political machinery of the state, making him a key axis of power and ensuring continuity in core governance areas like law & order and internal security.
Chief Minister Patel has retained several critical portfolios for himself — notably General Administration, Administrative Reforms & Training, Revenue & Disaster Management, and Roads & Buildings. Meanwhile, Kanubhai Desai continues to handle the Finance department.
By reviving the DCM post and entrusting Sanghavi with the Home portfolio, the BJP in Gujarat seems to be signaling a shift toward a more distributed power structure, possibly grooming new leadership ahead of critical future elections.
Rivaba Jadeja: From First-Time MLA to Minister of State
Perhaps the most publicly striking appointment is that of Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja as Minister of State, marking her formal entry into the executive branch of the Gujarat government.
Rivaba, aged 35, is married to Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja and represents the Jamnagar North constituency as a BJP MLA (since her 2022 electoral victory). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Gujarat Technological University.
In the current cabinet, Rivaba has been assigned the portfolio of Primary, Secondary & Adult Education as a Minister of State. Her induction is being viewed as both symbolic and strategic — symbolic because it lifts a relatively young woman into an influential position, and strategic because it helps BJP strengthen its foothold in Jamnagar and broader Saurashtra.
Observers also note that the elevation of candle-lit names like Rivaba helps the BJP weave in fresh representation, especially from women and younger demographics, as it prepares for electoral challenges ahead.
Retentions, Dropped Ministers & Social Arithmetic
To make way for the revamp, all ministers (except the Chief Minister) tendered their resignations on Thursday, 16 October — a clean slate approach to the rejig. Of the outgoing ministers, six were retained in the new lineup: Harsh Sanghavi, Kanubhai Desai, Rushikesh Patel, Kunvarji Bavaliya, Praful Pansheriya, and Parshottam Solanki. Notably, only Sanghavi and Pansheriya took new oaths (the former in his elevated role. Meanwhile, ten ministers were dropped from the roster, including senior names like Balwantsinh Rajput, Raghavji Patel, Bhanuben Babariya, and Mulu Bera.
The reshuffle has also attempted a careful balancing act of caste, region and gender. The new cabinet of 26 ministers (including the Chief Minister) comprises a mix of castes: eight from OBC communities, six Patidars, four tribals, three from Scheduled Castes, two Kshatriyas, and one each from Brahmin and Jain communities. Women’s representation has increased to three, up from only one in the prior cabinet.
From a regional perspective, Saurashtra–Kutch has seen significant shifts: of the five ministers earlier from Saurashtra, only two have been retained (Kunvarji Bavaliya and Parshottam Solanki). Rivaba’s induction is partially interpreted as the BJP bolstering its presence in Jamnagar and surrounding areas.
Implications & Challenges Ahead
This reshuffle is much more than a mere personnel change: it signals a deeper political recalibration by the BJP in Gujarat. The revival of the Deputy CM post and elevation of Sanghavi places a trusted lieutenant next to the Chief Minister, possibly preparing him for greater leadership or a future succession route. The handling of the Home Ministry further gives Sanghavi a central role in state security and law enforcement.
Rivaba Jadeja’s appointment pushes forward the BJP’s narrative of generational renewal and expanded representation. Her presence brings both the appeal of a popular public persona and the opportunity to strengthen the party’s regional influence in western Gujarat. However, she is a first-time minister and must quickly adapt to the complexities of governance and administration.
For the retained ministers, the reshuffle offers continuity, but also indicates they must now deliver performance under renewed expectations. For those dropped, the message is clear: electoral relevance and performance will be critically judged in the coming years.
Yet, this reshuffle is not without challenges. The BJP must manage internal expectations — the removal of senior leaders may create friction among party ranks. Maintaining cohesion across caste and regional lines will be crucial, especially in Saurashtra, where political competition remains intense. The newly inducted faces will also need to prove their administrative credibility quickly.
As Gujarat gears up toward elections (with its next Assembly polls due in 2027), this rejig can be seen as laying the groundwork for the BJP’s electoral push. The party seems to be retooling its leadership, attempting to blend experienced hands with fresh faces to renew its appeal and consolidate its base ahead of the electoral contest.
Summary
In summation, the October 2025 Gujarat cabinet overhaul is a bold and calculated move. With Harsh Sanghavi now Deputy Chief Minister and occupying the crucial Home portfolio, and Rivaba Jadeja making her entry into the executive as MoS, the BJP has sought to recalibrate power, project renewal, and reassert political dominance. The real test, however, will lie in how this reshuffled leadership performs in governance and whether it stands strong under the scrutiny of public expectations heading into Gujarat’s next legislative challenge.
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