RUPANI TAKES OATH AS GUJ CM
GANDHINAGAR: Vijay Rupani, a low-profile RSS man, on Tuesday took oath as the chief minister of Gujarat for the second consecutive term with new faces and a strong Patidar presence lined up in his ministry. Rupani, 61, his deputy Nitin Patel and 18 other ministers were administered oath.
Saurabh Patel, 59
Has made a comeback to the cabinet after being dropped from Vijay Rupani’s first government in 2016. One of the richest candidates in the recently concluded elections, he has held important portfolios in industry and finance departments in the past
RC Faldu, 60
A first time cabinet member, he was the state BJP chief for two terms when Narendra Modi was Gujarat chief minister. The soft-spoken Patidar won this year’s election from Jamnagar South despite facing opposition from a section of his community
Jayesh Radadiya, 35
The youngest minister in the Rupani government, he retained his cabinet berth after winning the Patidar-dominated Jetpur seat in Saurashtra . Son of Saurashtra strongman Vithal Radadiya, he had switched over to BJP from Congress in 2014
Kishor Kanani, 51
The BJP could not hold a single election rally in his constituency of Varachha Road following protests by members of the Patidar community over their quota demand. However, the first time state minister managed to retain the seat by over 54,000 votes
Ganpat Vasava, 46
The tribal leader has helped the saffron party maintain its clout over the community settled along the northern and southern belts. This will be his third stint in the cabinet. He has also twice served as a speaker in the Gujarat assembly