Vijay Rupani, ex Gujarat CM, killed in Ahmedabad plane crash

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. | Photo Credit: PTI

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was killed in the London-bound Air India plane that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport soon after take-off on Thursday (June 12, 2025).

Union Minister C.R. Patil confirmed the death of the former CM.

He was among the 242 people aboard the ill-fated London-bound Air India I71 flight that crashed minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad. He is the second Gujarat CM to die in a plane crash.

Rupani had taken over as the Chief Minister in August 2016 after the sudden resignation of the then CM Anandiben Patel. He stepped down in 2021, paving way for Bhupendra Patel to take over as the 17th Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Seen as Amit Shah’s protégé, Rupani was a first time MLA from Rajkot West when he took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was serving as State BJP president and a State Minister when the central leadership named him as Ms. Patel’s successor.

Rupani’s public life started with his association with RSS’ student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He has been with the BJP since its inception in 1980. As a pracharak of RSS, he was jailed for his opposition to the Emergency.

He served as a Rajya Sabha member between 2006 and 2012.

Published - June 12, 2025 07:15 pm IST