New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had expanded his council of ministers to 25 members, marking a significant cabinet reshuffle aimed at balancing caste representation and introducing new leaders ahead of the upcoming civic polls.

The most prominent elevation in the new ministry is that of Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Minister, reflecting his rising influence within the state's BJP leadership and the party's trust in his administrative abilities.

The newly expanded cabinet retains six outgoing ministers while inducting 19 new members, including BJP MLA Rivaba Jadeja, wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, who makes her debut in the state ministry.

The caste compositi...