Against the backdrop of the Gujarat government’s overhaul ahead of the 2022 assembly election, state BJP president C R Paatil said on Tuesday that BJP will field at least 100 new faces in the polls.

Paatil made the statement in a party cadre meeting. “Hundred new faces will replace the old ones in the upcoming state assembly election in 2022,” he said. “The sitting MLAs present here need not take this message personally.” He added: “Nobody should approach me for tickets as this decision has been taken by the higher-ups.”

The BJP high command changed the entire cabinet in the state recently, replacing every minister. Vijay Rupani’s chief ministerial chair was given to Bhupendra Patel. Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel was dropped.

In the 182-member Gujarat assembly, BJP has 112 seats; the opposition Congress, 65; the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), 2; and the NCP, 1. The lone independent legislator is Jignesh Mevani, who will contest the next election on a Congress ticket. One seat is vacant.

Paatil said: “I am saying this to every elected representative. Give priority to party workers.” He added: “If there are complaints from party workers, they will be accounted for.” Paatil said that BJP has been winning because of its workers.

(With inputs from agencies)