Chief Minister of Gujarat is the chief executive of the western Indian state of Gujarat. As per the Constitution of India, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister, whose council of ministers are collectively responsible to the assembly.
Since the creation of Gujarat in 1960, 16 people have served as its Chief Minister including inaugural office-holder Jivraj Narayan Mehta, one of several Indian National Congress members to serve in the role. Gujarat"s longest-serving Chief Minister is Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The incumbent Chief Minister is the BJP"s Bhupendrabhai Patel, who is serving the position since 12th December 2022.
Chief Ministers of Saurashtra
Saurashtra State, previously known as the United State of Kathiawar, held its status as a distinct entity in India from 1948 to 1956. The state was situated on the Saurashtra alias Kathiawar peninsula, with its capital in Rajkot. A pivotal moment in its history occurred in November 1948 when the United State of Kathiawar underwent a transformation, officially becoming the United State of Saurashtra or Saurashtra State.
On November 1, 1956, Saurashtra State was absorbed into Bombay State, contributing to the enlargement of its territory. The course of history took another turn with the Mahagujarat Movement, leading to the dissolution of Bombay State. On May 1, 1960, Maharashtra and Gujarat emerged as separate states based on linguistic considerations.
During its brief existence, Saurashtra State witnessed the leadership of two chief ministers. U. N. Dhebar served from 1948 to 1954, followed by Rasiklal Parikh, who took over from 1954 to 1956. Their tenures played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the state during this transitional period.
List of Chief Ministers of Gujarat
Following is the chronological order of the Chief ministers who served the state of Gujarat in independent India.
Jivraj Narayan Mehta
Jivraj Narayan Mehta was the first Chief Minister of Gujarat from 1st May 1960 to 19th September 1963. He belonged to the Indian National Congress party. He was the personal doctor of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the independence movement. He has also served as the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1963 to 1966.
Balwantrai Mehta
Balwantrai Mehta was the second Chief Minister of Gujarat from 25th February 1963 to 19th September 1965. He participated in Indian independence movement. He belonged to the Indian National Congress party.
Hitendra K. Desai
Hitendra K. Desai was the third Chief Minister of Gujarat and a leader of Indian National Congress. He was elected as the Chief Minister of the state for three consecutive terms from 19th September 1965 to 12th May 1971.
President"s Rule in Gujarat
The first ever President"s Rule in Gujarat was from May 1971 to March 1972. The next President"s Rule in Gujarat was from February 1974 to June 1975, March 1976 to December 1976, February 1980 to June 1980 and lastly from September 1996 to October 1996.
Ghanshyambhai C. Oza
Ghanshyambhai C. Oza was the fourth Chief Minister of Gujarat, India from 17th March 1972 to 17th July 1973. He belonged to the Indian National Congress party.
Chimanbhai Patel
Chimanbhai Patel was the fifth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 18th July 1973 to 9th February 1974 and from 4th March 1990 to 17th February 1994. He was associated with Indian National Congress and Janata Dal.
Babubhai J Patel
Babubhai Patel was the sixth Chief Minister of Gujarat for two terms. First term was from 18th June 1975 to 12th April 1976 and the second time from 11th April 1977 to 17th February 1980. He belonged to Janata Morcha and Janata Party.
Madhav Singh Solanki
Madhav Singh Solanki was the seventh Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was elected for four times; from 24th December 1976 to 10th April 1977, 7th June 1980 to 6th July 1985 and from 10th December 1989 to 4th March 1990. He is a leader of Indian National Congress party and a former External Affairs minister of India.
Amarsinh Chaudhary
Amarsinh Chaudhary was the eighth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 6th July 1985 to 9th December 1989. He belonged to Indian National Congress party.
Chhabildas Mehta
Chhabildas Mehta was the ninth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 17th February 1994 to 14th March 1995. He belonged to Indian National Congress party.
Keshubhai Patel
Keshubhai Patel was the 10th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 14th March 1995 to 21st October 1995 and from 4th March 1998 to 6th October 2001. He has been member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly for six times. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Suresh Mehta
Suresh Mehta was the eleventh Chief Minister of Gujarat from 21st October 1995 to 19th September 1996. He belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Shankersinh Vaghela
Shankersinh Vaghela served as the twelfth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 23rd October 1996 to 27th October 1997. He was the General Secretary and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was jailed during the Indira Gandhi"s Emergency.
Dilipbhai Ramanbhai Parikh
Dilip Ramanbhai Parikh served as the thirteenth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 28th October 1997 to 4th March 1998. He belonged to Rashtriya Janata Party and Bharatiya Janata Party.
Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi was the fourteenth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 7th October 2001 to 22nd May 2014. He is serving as the fifteenth and the current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Anandiben Patel
Anandiben Patel became the fifteenth Chief Minister of Gujarat from 22nd May 2014 to 5th August 2016. She was the first woman Chief Minister of the state. She is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1987.
Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani was the sixteenth Chief Minister of Gujarat who served from 7th August 2016 to 13th September 2021. He belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Bhupendrabhai Patel
Bhupendrabhai Patel of Ghatlodia constituency is the seventeenth and incumbent Chief minister of Gujarat who took office in 12th December, 2022. He represents the Bharatiya Janata Party.
