In a significant organisational revamp, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Gujarat unit has announced a list of 35 new office-bearers to serve under state president Jagdish Vishwakarma. The major restructuring, announced on Saturday evening, December 28, 2024, brings in fresh faces while also marking the return of some seasoned leaders.
Key Appointments and Returns in the Gujarat BJP Team
The newly announced team includes eight women, highlighting the party's focus on inclusion. One of the most notable comebacks is that of former spokesperson and MLA Bharat Pandya, who returns to a prominent position as a vice-president of the state unit.
Conversely, the reshuffle has led to the exit of some veterans. State party treasurer Surendra Patel, widely known as Surendra 'Kaka', has been replaced by Parindu Bhagat, a lawyer popularly called 'Kakubhai'. Bhagat previously served as the party's coordinator with the Election Commission.
New Faces in Crucial Communication Roles
The party has also filled key communication and administrative positions. Dr. Anil Patel has been appointed as the new spokesperson for the Gujarat BJP. Meanwhile, Prashant Vala, who earlier held the position of the party's state media convenor, makes a return to the state unit as the new media-in-charge.
In other important appointments, former Assembly speaker Ganpat Vasava has been named the chief of the Scheduled Tribe Morcha. Shrinath Shah has been retained in his role as the office secretary, ensuring continuity in administrative functions.
National Leadership's Stamp of Approval
According to an official BJP statement, these extensive appointments were finalised with the explicit approval of the party's national leadership. The reshuffle received the green light from national BJP president J.P. Nadda and the party's national working president Nitin Nabin.
This comprehensive reorganisation is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party's apparatus in Gujarat, a key state for the BJP. By blending experienced hands with new appointees, the leadership aims to build a robust team for upcoming political challenges and electoral engagements.
