Bhupendra Patel back as Gujarat CM, allocates portfolios to ministers

For the second straight term, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhupendra Patel on Monday took oath as the 18th Chief Minister of Gujarat. The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at the helipad ground inside the new secretariat complex in Gandhinagar this afternoon.

Along with Patel, 16 other ministers also took oath and was allocated portfolios.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of BJP-led states.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel kept the portfolio of Urban Development, Urban Housing Development, Road and Building, Mining, Tourism, Narmada and Kalpsar, Port and Information Broadcasting departments. Kanu Desai has been given the Finance and Energy and Petrochemicals departments.

Rushikesh Patel has been given the responsibility of Health, Education, Law and Parliamentary Affairs. Balvantsinh Rajput has been allotted the department of Industries, Small and Medium Scale Industries.

Raghavji Patel has been made the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Rural Development. Kunwarji Bavalia has been allotted the Ministries of Water Irrigation and Civil Supply. Further, Mulubhai Bera has been given the charge of Tourism, Cultural, Forest and Environment and Climate change. Kuber Dindor has been made the Minister or Tribal Development as well as for Primary and Higher Secondary Education. Bhanuben Babariya has been given the department of Social welfare and Justice and Women Development. There are eight Ministers of State in the council.