Vijay Rupani who died in Air India crash was Gujarat’s calm force in crisis: Know all about state’s 16th Chief Minister

Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was among the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. He was 68.

Rupani was known for his calm nature and strong leadership. He served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from August 2016 to September 2021, guiding the state during the tough period after the Covid-19 pandemic.

His political journey began during his college days when he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and took part in several student movements. In 1975, he was jailed for a year in Bhavnagar for protesting against the Emergency.


Rupani’s formal political career began in 1987 when he became a corporator in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. He later rose to the position of mayor. From 2006 to 2012, he served as a Rajya Sabha MP.

During his time as Chief Minister, Rupani launched the Gujarat Industrial Policy 2020 and brought in schemes focused on improving the lives of tribal communities.

He stepped down from the CM’s post in September 2021, ahead of the state elections, paving the way for Bhupendra Patel to take over.

Inputs from PTI