Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani dead

Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Death Confirmation: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died in a plane crash on Thursday, June 12. He was 68 years old. He was onboard a London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 passengers that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, triggering a massive emergency response. The incident occurred near the Meghaninagar area of the city. 

Confirming Rupani's death, Chandrakant Raghunath Patil, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Gujarat state unit, said that the passing of the former CM Vijay Rupani is "something Gujarat can never forget".

"A very tragic incident has occurred on the soil of Gujarat... Even doctor students in the hostel have suffered; we can't forget this... May God give strength to the families of those who lost their lives in the plane crash. We pray that God grants peace to the departed souls," said Patil. 

"This is a big shock for the BJP family," added the party's state unit head. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Gujarat to take stock of the situation after the news. Expressing profound grief and shock over the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister said that the tragedy has stunned and saddened the nation. Describing the crash as "heartbreaking beyond words", the Prime Minister said that he has been in continuous communication with ministers and relevant authorities to ensure swift and effective assistance to the impacted.  

Vijay Rupani, the former Gujarat CM who died in the June 12, 2025, Ahmedabad plane crash  

Early life and education

Vijay Rupani was born on August 2, 1956, in Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar, to a Jain Bania family.

His family moved to Rajkot, India, in 1960 due to political instability in Burma. 

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Dharmendrasinghji AC College in 1977 and an LLB from AMP Law College in 1980, both under Saurashtra University.

Family background

Vijay Rupani comes from a big family, being the youngest of seven children. He is married to Anjali Rupani, and they have three children together. Sadly, they lost their youngest son, Pujit, at a young age. 

Career

Vijaykumar Ramniklal Rupani succeeded Anandiben Patel and was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 August 2016.

In the Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, 2017, he retained Rajkot West constituency defeating the Indian National Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru.

He was unanimously elected as the leader of the legislative party on 22 December 2017. 

Political timeline 

• 2021: Stepped down as the chief minister of Gujarat on the 11th September, 2021
• 2017: On 22 December 2017, he again took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat with Nitin Patel as the Deputy Chief Minister.
• 2017: Again, he won the Gujarat Assembly Election from the Rajkot West constituency and retained the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat.
• 2016: He became the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 August 2016. On the other hand, he became the President of the BJP, Gujarat.
• 2015: He was inducted into the Cabinet of former CM Anandiben Patel and became Minister of Transport, Water Supply, Labour, and Employment.
• 2014: On 19 October 2014, he won the assembly bypoll and became the MLA from Rajkot West. The seat was vacated after Vajubhai Vala resigned from the Gujarat Assembly.
• 2013: He became chairman of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board.
• 2006: He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2006-2012. He became the Chairman of the Gujarat Tourism Corporation in 2006.
• 1998: He became the general secretary of the Gujarat BJP. He was also the Chairman of the Gujarat Government's 'Manifesto Implementation Committee', from 1998 to 2002.
• 1995: Rupani was again elected to the RMC. He served as the mayor of Rajkot from 1996 to 1997.
• 1987: He was elected as Rajkot Municipal Corporator and Chairman of the Drainage Committee. He was the Chairman of the Standing Committee of RMC from 1988 to 1996.
• 1978: He worked as a Pracharak of RSS till 1981.
• 1976: During the Emergency, he was sent to jail for 11 months under M.I.S.A act.
• 1971: He joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and subsequently joined Jan Sangh. He has been associated with the BJP since its establishment.
• 1970: Vijay Rupani joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) as an activist.