In a significant development in Gujarat's political landscape, Deputy Speaker of the state legislative assembly, Jethabhai Ahir, has stepped down from his post. The resignation was formally accepted by Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
Resignation Submitted at Speaker's Residence
The veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, popularly known as Jetha Bharwad, tendered his resignation at the official residence of the Speaker. The move was not a solitary one, as Ahir was accompanied by a high-profile delegation. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishvakarma, and the party's state organising secretary Ratnakar were present during the submission, underscoring the event's political significance.
An official release from the assembly cited Ahir's preoccupation with other responsibilities as the primary reason for his decision to vacate the deputy speaker's chair. The resignation marks the end of his tenure which began on December 20, 2022, in the current 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly.
A Veteran Legislator and Cooperative Sector Stalwart
Jethabhai Ahir is a political heavyweight with deep roots in Gujarat's cooperative movement. He is a six-term Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Shehra constituency in the Panchmahal district. This is not his first stint as Deputy Speaker; he had also held the same position during the 14th Gujarat Assembly.
Beyond legislative duties, Ahir's influence is strongly felt in the cooperative sector, where he holds several pivotal positions. His portfolio includes leadership roles in major institutions such as:
- Panchmahal Dairy
- Panchmahal District Central Cooperative Bank
- Gujarat State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited
In a notable achievement, he was elected unopposed as the Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) in May 2024. The demands of these numerous high-profile roles are understood to have prompted his decision to step back from the deputy speaker's post.
Political Speculation and the Road Ahead
While the official reason points to an overload of commitments, the sudden resignation has taken many political observers by surprise. It has inevitably sparked speculation within political circles regarding the underlying circumstances and the timing of the move.
The immediate question now turns to his successor. The resignation creates a vacancy for one of the senior-most positions in the Gujarat Assembly, triggering a process to elect a new Deputy Speaker. The development is being closely watched as it could signal shifts within the state's political dynamics, especially concerning the influential cooperative sector's representation in the assembly's presiding offices.
The acceptance of the resignation by Speaker Shankar Chaudhary sets the stage for the next steps in the assembly, with the ruling BJP expected to nominate a new candidate for the deputy speaker's post in due course.
