Including the CM and his deputy, seven more may get crucial portfolios; final list on Dec 26
With the BJP all set to form the government in Gujarat for a sixth consecutive term, top party leaders are busy carryingout the cherry-picking exercise to select the faces for Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's cabinet.
Including Rupani as the CM and Nitin Patel as his deputy, sources said, seven other members are likely to be picked as cabinet rank ministers, while 11 to 12 may be selected for state-level minister rank.
The final list will be release on December 26, moments before the swearing-in ceremony of the cabinet members in Gandhinagar.
In the meanwhile, sources said, senior party leaders, including BJP state chief Jitu Vaghani, CM Rupani and Dy CM Patel, are going to meet for a couple of times to work out a list keeping factors like castes, regions and gender in mind. Here are the names that are likely to find a place in the BJP's final list of cabinet ministers and ministers of states:
GANPAT VASAVA
The tribal face of the BJP and former minister of tribal and forests in Rupani's government, Vasava is a promising figure. No other tribal leader from BJP of his cadre has been elected in recent polls. He can get the same portfolio again.
BABU BOKHIRIA
Defeated Congress stalwart Arjun Modhwadia for the second time. He was a cabinet minister in last term and is a strong OBC leader in Saurashtra. He can get water supplies and water resources portfolio once more.
RC FALDU
A former Saurashtra BJP president and a senior leader from the Patel community, Faldu can become the agriculture minister. His clean image and docile nature can earn him a position in Rupani's cabinet.
SAURABH PATEL
The industrialist had been dropped last time. But in the absence of other strong leaders, Rupani won't be able to ignore him this time. Patel is credited with making the Vibrant Gujarat Summit successful. Finance and energy are his forte.
JAYESH RADADIA
He and his father Vitthal Radadiya have good hold over the Patel community in Saurashtra region and that is needed more now to placate Patels who are up in arms against the BJP With 2019 polls nearing, can retain civil supplies.
DILIP THAKOR
OBC leader from North Gujarat. May get a berth ahead of 2019 polls. May get social justice and empowerment
KAUSHIK PATEL
Former revenue minister in Keshubhai Patel's government, Kaushik Patel is a Kadva Patel leader from North Gujarat. Likely to enter the cabinet and get the revenue portfolio.
PRADIPSINH JADEJA
A Kshatriya Rajput leader from Ahmedabad, can be elevated to cabinet minister from MoS. Jadeja is believed to be close to BJP president Amit Shah. May get legal and justice parliamentary affairs and urban development portfolios.
BHUPENDRASINH CHUDASAMA
If not chosen for the cabinet, he can be made the speaker in Gujarat assembly, thanks to his experience and knowledge of proceedings of the House. His soft-spoken nature can also bag him the new job.
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