The Bhupendra Patel 2.0 cabinet, reshuffled on October 17, has unveiled a stark portrait of Gujarat&rsquo;s power elite, one dominated by immense personal wealth and limited social representation. A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch reveals that nearly 90% of state ministers are crorepatis, highlighting the deep financial entrenchment within the corridors of political power.
According to the report, based on self-sworn affidavits filed with the Election Commission, 23 of 26 ministers possess assets exceeding ₹1 crore, with the average wealth pegged at ₹11.12 crore.
Leading the list is Education Minister Rivaba Jadeja, MLA from Jamnagar North and wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, who declared assets worth ₹97.35 crore. She is followed by Bhavnagar Rural MLA Parshottam Solanki (₹53.52 crore) and Kamrej MLA Praful Pansheriya (₹19.69 crore). At the other end of the scale, Dr Jayram Gamit of Nizar (ST) holds assets of just ₹46.96 lakh,&nbsp;the lowest among ministers.
Wealth isn&rsquo;t the only measure rising in the cabinet; liabilities, too, are substantial. Eighteen ministers have declared debts, with Solanki leading at ₹8.93 crore. Most ministers are linked to business, real estate, construction, or agriculture,&nbsp; signalling the dominance of economically powerful classes in Gujarat&rsquo;s political fabric.
&ldquo;The Gujarat cabinet reflects a notable concentration of wealth, suggesting a close intersection between financial prosperity and political authority,&rdquo; the ADR analysis observed.
Compared with the 2022 Bhupendra Patel cabinet, where 16 of 17 ministers were crorepatis, the latest reshuffle amplifies the wealth gap. While the previous council&rsquo;s average assets stood at ₹32.7 crore, the new formation demonstrates how political authority remains closely tied to financial affluence.
The report also draws attention to criminal cases against five ministers, one involving serious charges. Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Parshottam Solanki faces cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, while Agriculture Minister Jitendra Vaghani is charged under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi has a conviction under IPC Section 188, and others, including Health Minister Rushikesh Patel and Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia, face pending defamation or civil cases.
Educational diversity within the cabinet also remains narrow, six ministers have only school-level education, while 16 are graduates or postgraduates. The most qualified, Dr Jayram Gamit and Manisha Vakil, both hold doctorates, while others such as Arjun Modhwadia and Kamlesh Patel possess professional or law degrees.
Despite rising discourse on gender inclusion, only&nbsp;three women; Rivaba Jadeja, Darshna Vaghela, and Manisha Vakil&nbsp;feature in the 26-member team, accounting for just 12% representation. In terms of age, 15 ministers fall between 51 and 70 years, 10 are aged 31&ndash;50, and one is over 70,&nbsp; revealing a cabinet that leans heavily toward senior leadership rather than youth participation.
Ultimately, the ADR findings paint a revealing picture of Gujarat&rsquo;s reconstituted cabinet, one where&nbsp;wealth, power, and influence converge, and diversity, whether economic, gender-based, or generational, remains marginal. As Gujarat continues to champion its &ldquo;model of development,&rdquo; the report raises fundamental questions about who truly holds the reins of that progress.

Gujarat’s Crorepati Cabinet Reveals Wealth Divide

ADR report flags soaring ministerial assets and poor gender balance in Bhupendra Patel 2.0

Gujarat’s Crorepati Cabinet Reveals Wealth Divide

ADR report flags soaring ministerial assets and poor gender balance in Bhupendra Patel 2.0

October 26, 2025 | 17:21 IST