Gujarat Ex Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Among 241 Killed In Air India Crash

Senior BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died in the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said. He was 68.

The plane was headed to Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, when it crashed in a civilian area near the airport.

“The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals,” Air India posted on X.

Union Minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Patil said “Vijay Rupani was “among victims” in this incident.

“Our leader and former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was going (to London) to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP,” said.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that Vijay Rupani was on the doomed plane.

“We are going to do a fair and thorough investigation, and probe why this incident happened. We still have to find out the numbers…Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, as were other nationals,” said the Minister.

Vijay Rupani, the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat, was in office from August 2016 to September 2021. Known for his composed demeanour and firm administrative style, he steered Gujarat through a critical phase of post-Covid recovery.

Senior BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died in the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said. He was 68.

The plane was headed to Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, when it crashed in a civilian area near the airport.

“The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals,” Air India posted on X.

Union Minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Patil said “Vijay Rupani was “among victims” in this incident.

“Our leader and former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was going (to London) to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP,” s

“We are going to do a fair and thorough investigation, and probe why this incident happened. We still have to find out the numbers…Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, as were other nationals,” said the Minister.

Vijay Rupani, the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat, was in office from August 2016 to September 2021. Known for his composed demeanour and firm administrative style, he steered Gujarat through a critical phase of post-Covid recovery.