Gandhinagar, January 4
CABINET MINISTERS
* Vajubhai Vala, 70: Is the number 2 in the Modi cabinet. A former advocate, the Karadia Kshatriya, is a close aide of the Chief Minister now, and this time, would be presenting the state budget for the 13th time in a row, a record of sorts. Has not lost an election since 1985 and is known for his blind loyalty to the party. Came close to Modi after he vacated his Rajkot-II seat to facilitate Modi's entry in the Assembly in his first term. Comes with a wide political and administrative experience from his days as Rajkot Mayor and has handled diverse portfolios in Gandhinagar.
* Narottam Patel, 72: A north Gujarat Kadva Patel now representing Chorasi (Surat), this Civil Engineer likes swimming, a reason why he swam through the 2006 floods of Surat to retain his seat this elections. Veteran Narottambhai comes with earlier experience in Water Resources, Roads and Buildings, Urban Development, Planning departments, and the Narmada.
* Anandiben Patel, 67: The number 3 in the cabinet, this award-winning teacher from Ahmedabad is a Modi confidante now. Into her third term, having won the Patan seat, she comes with a wide administrative and political experience in the field of education, women, and child development. Has been a Rajya Sabha member in early 1990s. Is active in NGOs like the Gramshri and Sahiyar Sharafi Mandali. Won a courage award for saving two girl students from drowning in Narmada River once. Would be a close counsel of Modi in his third term as the Chief Minister.
* Nitin Patel, 52: A cotton industrialist and a former Minister from the Keshubhai Patel era, this Modi minister comes with strong Kadva Patel connections in Mehsana. Has held Agriculture, Irrigation, Finance, and Health portfolios in his earlier stints in the eighth, ninth and tenth Assemblies. Lost the 2002 polls, and then again the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, but is back to assist Modi this time.
* Dilip Sanghani, 54: This Minister's claim to fame is his lending of his room in Delhi as Member of Parliament to Modi while the latter was cooling his heels in Delhi. A three time MP, he lost the 2002 Assembly elections. An agriculturist and an advocate, this veteran of Saurashtra politics has redeemed himself in the eyes of Modi after having hobnobbed with Keshubhai Patel.
* Fakirbhai Vaghela, 56: A former banker, Fakirbhai has been the national dalit face of the BJP. Completed his term as executive chairman of the National SC Commission recently. Was a Minister in the Keshubhai Patel Cabinet with exposure to Social Justice, Social Welfare, Urban Development, Forests and Environment, Labour, and Prohibition departments.
* Ramanlal Vora, 56: A former banker, this north Gujarat dalit leader has been an MLA since 1995. Has held charge of departments as diverse as Energy, Cooperatives, and Administrative Reforms. Was Social Justice Minister in the outgoing Modi ministry.
* Jainarayan Vyas: An IIT alumnus, Vyas is credited with much progress in the Narmada project through the mid and the late 1990s. This water expert brings with him a truckload of administrative experience from his days as an engineer with the GIDC, where he scripted much of the industrialisation in the ‘Golden Corridor’. This rather independent minded brahmin is known for a certain openness that might be a cause of worry to Modi.
* Mangubhai Patel, 64: This soft-spoken tribal leader from Navsari has been Forests and Tribal Development Minister throughout the eleventh Assembly. A quintessential Modi loyalist, Patel is liked by his bureaucrats for being a good listener and not interfering much in administrative matters.
MINISTERS OF STATE
* Amit Shah, 44: Modi's ideological ally, this burly Minister is also a cooperatives shark in Ahmedabad. Has been one of the directors in the Madhavpura Mercantile Cooperative Bank and chairman of Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank (ADCB). Landed in controversy over the Sohrabuddin Sh3ikh fake encounter case, but has succeeded in entrenching himself with the Home portfolio. Loves cricket.
* Saurabh Patel, 50: This suave Modi minister is an MBA from the United States. Is credited with the much touted power reforms in Gujarat, and is a finance whiz in the Modi team. Has retained the same portfolios he held in the previous ministry. Widely travelled with business interests in stocks and chemicals, Patel likes swimming.
* Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, 42: This rather reticent Minister of the Modi team keeps a low profile. Youngest in the team, this tribal leader represents Randhikpur seat of Panchmahals district and is the only one to become a Minister from the central Gujarat region this time. Has held Minister of State rank in Health, Civil Supplies, and Forests departments.
* Kirisinh Rana, 44: This kshatriya leader defeated Congress strongman Bhavan Bharwad from Limbdi in the elections this time. He returns after having lost the 2002 polls. In 1995 and 1998, Rana was a junior minister in charge of the Animal Husbandry department.
* Parsottam Solanki, 47: An accused in the 1993 Mumbai riots, the Koli face of the BJP in Gujarat, was the only Minister to be given a chopper for campaigning across the 32 Koli seats in Saurashtra, as in 2002. Brings with him his massive clout over the Koli community along Gujarat's coastline. Would be of crucial support to Modi in the implementation of the Sagar Khedu programme.
* Parbatbhai Patel, 60: A cooperatives leader from Banaskantha, Patel, made a comeback after having lost the 2002 polls from Vav. From the first batch of BJP leaders, getting elected in 1985, this Aanjna Chaudhary has been a deputy minister of finance in 1990s.
* Dr. Maya Kodnani, 53: This Ahmedabad-based gynaecologist has been AMC standing committee chairperson and has held positions in various committees of the State Assembly through the tenth and eleventh House. She would be the second woman face in the Modi cabinet apart from Anandiben.
* Vasan Ahir, 48: The Information department's introduction on Ahir says he has won the "MLA of the Millennium Award" from some unknown body in 2002. Lost his seat of Anjar in Kutch in 2002, and now makes a comeback from Bhuj.
* Jaisinh Chauhan, 52: This teacher from Prantij in Sabarkantha completes the north Gujarat domination in the third Modi ministry. An active member of various backward caste bodies, Chauhan has been twice elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 and 1998.
