India, Oct. 18 -- In a major political reshuffle ahead of the 2027 Gujarat Assembly elections, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday inducted 19 new ministers into his council and retained six from his previous team. Harsh Sanghavi, a key BJP leader and MLA from Majura in Surat, was elevated as Deputy Chief Minister - marking the first appointment to the post since 2021.

The new cabinet, administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Acharya Devvrat, now comprises 26 members including the CM. Gujarat, with a 182-member Assembly, can have up to 27 ministers. The reshuffle comes two years before the next state elections and months ahead of crucial local body polls.

Among the fresh inductees is Rivaba Jadeja, wife of Indian cri...