Premium

Jethabhai Ahir resigns as Gujarat Assembly Deputy Speaker citing other responsibilities

Resignation has come as a surprise to many, triggering speculation over circumstances surrounding the move and his eventual replacement in the key Assembly post.

2 min readUpdated: Dec 25, 2025 06:57 PM IST

Ahir cited other responsibilities for stepping down, sparking speculation about his replacement.

Jetha Ahir (first from right) tendering his resignation to Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary (second from left) at the latter's residence, on Thursday. (Express photo)

Deputy Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly Jethabhai Ahir, popularly known as Jetha Bharwad, on Thursday resigned from the post citing “his preoccupation with other responsibilities”, a government release said. The resignation has been accepted by SpeakerShankar Chaudhary.

Ahir tendered his resignation to the Speaker at the latter’s residence in Gandhinagar.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishvakarma and party state organising secretary Ratnakar.

Ahir, 75, a prominent leader in the co-operative sector, is also chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.(NAFED), the post to which he was elected in May last year. Top sources in the government said his commitments to NAFED and “frequent travelling” would not give him time in his responsibility in the state Assembly.

A six-term MLA from the Shehra constituency in Panchmahal district, Ahir had earlier served as Deputy Speaker during the 14th Gujarat Assembly also. In the current 15th Assembly, he was appointed Deputy Speaker on December 20, 2022.

He holds several key positions in cooperative institutions in the state, including Panchmahal Dairy, the Panchmahal District Central Cooperative Bank, and the Gujarat State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited.

While Ahir has cited his engagement with other posts as the reason for stepping down as Deputy Speaker, the resignation has come as a surprise to many, triggering speculation over the circumstances surrounding the move and his eventual replacement in the key Assembly post.

Parimal A Dabhi

Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express as Chief of Bureau, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region. Expertise & Authority Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Patidar, Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues: Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani. Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), 2002 Gujarat riots and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement and fake encounters. Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis: State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, discussion on various Bills, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys. Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Gujarat

Loading Taboola...