Lagatar24 Desk
Gandhinagar: One of the biggest surprises of Gujarat’s cabinet reshuffle was the swearing in of Rivaba Jadeja, wife of Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, as a minister. At just 34, Rivaba’s steady political ascent within the BJP has made her one of the most talked-about new faces in the state government.
Rapid Political Rise Since 2019
Rivaba joined the BJP in March 2019, and within a few years, has transitioned from grassroots politics to a cabinet position. She represents Jamnagar North constituency and was among the 25 ministers inducted into the revamped Gujarat Cabinet. Before the 2022 elections, she declared assets worth ₹100 crore, making her one of the richest MLAs in Gujarat. Her induction signals the BJP’s push to bring in younger, regionally influential leaders ahead of local polls and the 2027 Assembly elections.
Early Life & Karni Sena Leadership
Born on November 2, 1990, in Rajkot, Rivaba comes from a socially active family. A mechanical engineer by qualification, she initially aspired to become a bureaucrat. Her uncle Hari Singh Solanki is a senior Congress leader in Rajkot. She married Ravindra Jadeja in 2016 and the couple run a restaurant in Rajkot.
Before her BJP stint, Rivaba was associated with Karni Sena and rose to prominence during the 2018 protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat. She later became the president of Karni Sena’s women’s wing.
Joining BJP & Grassroots Work
After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, she formally joined the BJP in 2019. Rivaba built her political identity through extensive work on women empowerment initiatives in Jamnagar and Rajkot. Through her Matrushakti Charitable Trust, she promoted menstrual hygiene awareness, encouraged Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account openings, and frequently engaged with rural communities. Her efforts earned her praise from PM Modi.
Winning Her First Election
In 2022, BJP fielded Rivaba from Jamnagar North, replacing incumbent MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (Hakubha). She secured a decisive victory with a margin of 40,000 votes, receiving 88,835 votes. Her political journey since then has been swift, culminating in her induction into the Gujarat Cabinet during the recent reshuffle.
As Rivaba steps into her new ministerial role, political observers will be closely watching how this engineer-turned-activist navigates her most high-profile innings yet.
