Vijay Rupani: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Vijay Rupani, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat for two terms from 2016 to 2021. He is known as one of the strongest leaders of the BJP in the state. Rupani has held many positions, including being a two-time MLA, a state cabinet minister, and a Rajya Sabha member. Vijay Rupani was the Gujarat BJP president for four terms (2001-2014) when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister. He became the BJP state president in 2016. All 242 people on board the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad today died.
Vijay Rupani was born on September 2, 1956 in Rangoon, now Myanmar. His parents’ names were Ramnikal Rupani and Mayaben. In 1960, their family migrated to Rajkot, Gujarat. During his education, Rupani was an ABVP activist. After his education, Vijay Rupani started his professional career as a stockbroker in his father’s firm and later became a full-time politician. He became a member of the Jana Sangh in 1971 and became a part of the BJP from its inception. In 1976, he was imprisoned for 11 months during the Emergency. In 1987, he entered electoral politics as a Rajkot Civil Body Councilor. After this, he served as the Mayor of Rajkot from 1996 to 1997. Before becoming the Chief Minister, Rupani gained national attention as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat from 2006 to 2012.
Vijay Rupani first entered the Gujarat Legislative Assembly with a landslide victory in the by-election held in Rajkot West constituency in 2014. In November 2014, Rupani became a minister in the state cabinet in the first reshuffle of the Anandiben Patel cabinet. He handled the departments of transport, water supply, and labor.
The then Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had to resign and step down during the Patidar agitation that rocked Gujarat politics since July 2015. Rupani replaced Anandiben and took office as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 August 2016. The 2017 Gujarat election results were disappointing for the BJP as the Patidar agitation continued in the state. Chief Minister Rupani personally led the BJP in the election fray, but the party faced setbacks. The BJP’s strength came down from 115 seats to 99. Vijay Rupani, who defeated his Congress rival in that election and returned to the assembly from Rajkot West, was sworn in as the Chief Minister again. However, on September 12, 2021, Vijay Rupani resigned from the post of Chief Minister on the instructions of the party.
Also Read: Passenger Warned About Air India Plane Hours Before Fatal Crash
Share
Heartbreaking Images Emerge from Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Air India Crash: Police Released List of Injured People
