Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with the grieving family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
The crash, involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London, occurred just minutes after takeoff and claimed the lives of all 242 passengers on board.
Offering heartfelt condolences, PM Modi expressed his deep sorrow and assured Rupani’s family of full support during this difficult time. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi wrote, “Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades.”
Reflecting on their long-standing association, Modi described Rupani as “humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party’s ideology,” noting that he rose through the ranks in the BJP, serving in several key roles—from Rajkot Municipal Corporation to Rajya Sabha MP, state BJP president, cabinet minister, and eventually Gujarat’s chief minister.
The Prime Minister added, “He ushered in many initiatives that helped boost Gujarat’s growth, especially in improving the ‘Ease of Living.’ I will always cherish our time working together. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Vijay Rupani’s sudden demise marks a significant loss for Gujarat and the BJP. Notably, he is the second former Gujarat chief minister to have died in an air disaster.
