Gujarat ministers quit en masse ahead of cabinet expansion

In a sweeping political move, all Gujarat ministers resigned ahead of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet reshuffle. BJP chief JP Nadda will oversee the expansion on Friday amid efforts to refresh the leadership ahead of the 2027 State polls

New Delhi: In a surprising political development, all ministers in the Gujarat government except Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel resigned on Thursday, ahead of a cabinet reshuffle.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will expand his cabinet on Friday, October 17.

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The swearing-in ceremony for the designated ministers will be held at 11.30 am at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

BJP president JP Nadda will oversee the much-awaited cabinet reshuffle. Governor Acharya Devvratji will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the MLAs during the ceremony.

Sources said at least 10 ministers are likely to be inducted into the Bhupendra Patel cabinet.

The cabinet reshuffle will be overseen by BJP president JP Nadda, who is visiting Gujarat, where he will hold a series of meetings with the Chief Minister, former State BJP president CR Paatil, and other senior party leaders on the issue of cabinet expansion.

According to party sources, the discussions are expected to focus on the reshuffle in the Gujarat cabinet and other key organisational matters in the state.

Nadda’s visit comes just days after a high-level meeting took place at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, where Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister CR Paatil, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel discussed changes in the State cabinet.

Party insiders said Nadda’s visit is aimed at giving final approval to the reshuffle and reviewing the party’s strategy to strengthen its position in Gujarat.

The reshuffle comes days after the appointment of new BJP State president Jagdish Vishwakarma.

Also, ahead of the 2027 State polls, the BJP will be looking to test new equations, as the AAP, led by young leader Gopal Italia, continues to make inroads into the Patidar stronghold of the BJP.

Sources indicate that the new expansion is expected to fill vacant chambers in the Swarnim Sankul government complex, indicating the likely addition of new faces. They have also said that ministers have been asked to remain in Gandhinagar, as many of them are likely to tender their resignations.