Jagdish Vishwakarma, a prominent Other Backward Class (OBC) leader and the current Minister of State for Gujarat, is poised to become the new president of the Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The official announcement is expected on October 4, 2025. Vishwakarma's ascent marks a significant moment in Gujarat's political landscape, recognizing his decades-long commitment to the party and his close ties to influential leaders like Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Born on August 12, 1973, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Jagdish Ishwarbhai Vishwakarma, also known as Jagdish Panchal, has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gujarat University. Before entering politics, he was a businessman with interests in textile machinery manufacturing, real estate, and marketing. He is also among the wealthiest MLAs from Ahmedabad, with declared assets worth ₹20.42 crore in 2022.
Vishwakarma's political journey began in 1998 as a booth worker in Thakkarbapanagar, Ahmedabad. He steadily climbed the ranks, becoming the convenor of the BJP's Industry Cell at the state level in 2013 and later serving as the president of the BJP's Ahmedabad city unit. He was first elected as an MLA from the Nikol constituency in 2012 and has retained the seat in the 2017 and 2022 elections. Vishwakarma's responsibilities in the Gujarat government have included Minister of State for Co-operation, Salt Industries, Printing and Stationery, Protocol (Independent Charge), MSME, Cottage, Khadi and Rural Industries, Civil Aviation, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, and Roads and Building.
His appointment as Gujarat BJP chief is seen as a strategic move by the party to balance caste equations, as Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is from the Patidar community. Vishwakarma is only the second OBC leader to hold this position in Gujarat, following Kashiram Rana. His selection also aims to counter the Congress party's decision to appoint an OBC leader, Amit Chavda, as its state president.
Several factors contributed to Vishwakarma's rise. He enjoys the trust of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and is aligned with the RSS and BJP's work culture. As Minister of State for Co-operation, he implemented reforms in Gujarat's cooperative sector, including shifting cooperative bank accounts and computerizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).
Taking over from C.R. Patil, whose extended tenure saw the BJP achieve a record victory in the 2022 assembly elections, Vishwakarma faces several challenges. He must maintain the party's electoral success and address internal issues, including alleged indiscipline and a perceived disconnect between the government and party MLAs. His immediate challenge is to ensure victory in the upcoming local body elections in January-February 2026. He will also be expected to act as a bridge between the government and the recession-hit textile and diamond industries.
Vishwakarma's journey from a booth worker to the president of the Gujarat BJP exemplifies his dedication and organizational skills. His elevation reflects the BJP's strategy to consolidate its position by appealing to diverse communities and addressing regional concerns.
