Rajkot's beloved leader whose ‘lucky number' marked his final day
Vijay Rupani
, the number 1206 was more than just digits — it was a symbol of fortune, a silent companion through the years. He believed in it with a kind of tender faith.
All his vehicles bore it, scooters and cars alike, their registration plates had 1206 on them.
Friends say it had always been his lucky charm.
But fate, as it sometimes does, gave it a cruel twist. On June 12 — 12/06 — the same number that had followed him for decades marked the day his journey ended.
Rupani was aboard the Air India flight that crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad. He was en route to London, where family awaited him with open arms.
He never arrived.
In Rajkot, the city he had served and loved, the news settled like a slow, heavy fog. He wasn't just a political figure — he was a familiar face, a neighbour, a man who had time for everyone. Those who knew him remember his humility more than his achievements. He had been instrumental in key development works — the new airport, AIIMS — but it was his quiet presence, his unwavering availability, that left a deeper mark.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed!
IC Markets
Start Now
Undo
"He was a tall leader, yes," said Sanjay Mehta, a neighbour. "But he lived like one of us. Always kind. Always ready to help. You'd never know he held such a big position. To us, he was just Vijaybhai — our neighbour, our friend."
Leaders from across the political spectrum condoled Rupani's death and paid tributes to him. Punjab BJP affairs in-charge Rupani, had put off his family visit to the United Kingdom from June 5 to June 12 owing to the Ludhiana West byelection, according to Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar.
"This is very unfortunate. This is how destiny and fate play out that he came into harm's way," Jakhar told TOI.
Authorities involved in rescue and relief operations at the crash site confirmed that the former chief minister was among those dead. His nephew Mehul Rupani said, "The family is devastated to know about the sad demise of uncle. Anjali aunty (Vijay Rupani's wife) and her daughter are returning from London, as are other relatives from the US."
Rupani's personal assistant Shailesh Mandaliya, who dropped off the former CM at the airport, said, "A few minutes after dropping him at the airport, we heard news of a loud crash. Anjali madam (Rupani's wife) and other family members are expected to return by Friday."
While serving as chief minister, Rupani gained the distinction of being a common man's CM. It was during his tenure that amber lights of the CM's convoy were removed and he also directed his security personnel not to hold traffic while his convoy passed.
Rupani took over at a time when the BJP was passing through though phase as caste and community agitations were at their peak.
Born on Aug 2, 1956 in Yangon (then Rangoon), Myanmar (formerly Burma) into a Jain family, 68-year-old Rupani was the seventh and youngest child of his parents. His family moved to Rajkot in 1960 due to political instability in Myanmar. Rupani completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) and LLB from Saurashtra University.
Rupani joined Jan Sangh in 1971 and was associated with the BJP since its inception. During the emergency, he was imprisoned in jails of Bhavnagar and Bhuj for 11 months. He was first elected as a municipal councillor of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) in 1987 and served as Rajkot mayor from 1996 to 1997.
Rupani was Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012. In Aug 2014, after Vajubhai Vala, then speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, resigned as the MLA from Rajkot West assembly seat, Rupani was nominated by the BJP from the seat which he won and was inducted as a cabinet minister in Nov 2014.
In Feb 2016, Rupani became the state BJP president. He went on to become the CM in Aug 2016, replacing Anandiben Patel. In Dec 2017 assembly elections that were held under the shadow of the Patidar reservation stir, Rupani led the BJP to victory. Rupani resigned as CM in Sep 2021, paving the way for Bhupendra Patel. He was subsequently given responsibilities at the national level in the BJP.
Follow more information on
Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here
. Get
real-time live updates
on rescue operations and check
full list of passengers onboard AI 171
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM Modi hails Chola legacy, unveils statue plan in TN
PM Modi hails Chola legacy, unveils statue plan in TN ARIYALUR: PM Narendra Modi praised the Chola dynasty as a shining example of India's historical and cultural legacy, announcing plans to erect statues of emperors Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola in Tamil Nadu. "These statues will serve as modern pillars of India's historical consciousness," Modi said Sunday at Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, commemorating Rajendra Chola I's birth anniversary at the Brihadisvara temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram of Ariyalur district. Wearing a traditional dhoti and angavastram, Modi invoked the Cholas' contributions to Shaivism and temple architecture, describing their era (300 BCE-1300 CE) as one of India's golden ages, defined by cultural achievement, strategic vision, and naval prowess. Modi released a commemorative coin in Rajendra Chola's honour and symbolically poured Ganga water at the temple, echoing the emperor's famed expedition to bring the river's waters southward a millennium ago. "The economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration," Modi said. "Tamil Nadu remains one of the most significant centres where this living tradition continues to thrive." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like El Salvador: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo He also underlined efforts to repatriate India's looted heritage. "Since 2014, over 600 ancient artefacts have been brought back from abroad, including 36 from Tamil Nadu," he said. The PM marked the day as also being the death anniversary of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. "India needs millions of youth like Kalam and the Chola kings to lead a developed nation," he said. While Modi addressed the gathering, dozens of Congress workers in Trichy were detained for waving black flags and protesting his visit.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
RO/ARO exam held peacefully, 60% skip test
1 2 Lucknow: The examination for the posts of review officer/assistant review officer (RO/ARO) was conducted smoothly and peacefully at 2,382 centres across the state on Sunday. According to officials, nearly 60% candidates skipped the examination as around 4.5 lakh students took the test out of total 10.7 lakh who had registered for the examination. UPPSC secretary Ashok Kumar said that Ayodhya recorded highest attendance with 52.8% candidates appearing for the examination, while Rampur registered the lowest at 25.8%. Participation in other major cities included 47.6% in Prayagraj, 48.9% in Lucknow, 44.4% in Kanpur, and 49.2% in Varanasi. "The highest number of 139 examination centres were set up in Kanpur, followed by Lucknow (129) and Prayagraj (106)," he said. "Cutting-edge security measures — including AI-based alert system, biometric verification, CCTV surveillance, and monitoring by the STF— ensured zero irregularities across the state. Dedicated teams monitored coaching centres and flagged suspicious behaviour to the authorities," an official said. "A special social media monitoring cell also kept a close watch on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to curb the spread of rumours or leaks," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Timeless & Modern: Unveiling a 96-Year-Old's Vision! Read More Undo Armed security and senior officials oversaw every step, from retrieval of papers from the treasury to the submission of answer sheets. To ensure secure identification at the entry point, biometric authentication and facial recognition technology were deployed. A complete ban was enforced on electronic devices, while an AI-powered alert system monitored for any suspicious activity and triggered instant warnings. The candidate identification and admission process for the RO/ARO exam was made entirely digital and foolproof. Centre allocation was carried out through computer-based randomisation to eliminate any scope for bias. The e-admit card was integrated with a One Time Registration (OTR) system, which involved an eight-point verification process, including details such as candidate's name, father's name, date of birth, category, high school roll number, and year of passing. Candidates Neeraj Chandra and Sachin Mathur from Varanasi, who appeared for the exam at a centre in Prayagraj, and Pooja from Pratapgarh said that the multi-layered screening and security checks were systematic and the entire process was smooth and transparent.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Anert's note contains blatant lies: Chennithala
T'puram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the note released by Anert in response to his questions to the electricity minister regarding the multi-crore scam related to the PM KUSUM scheme, which provides free solar pumps to farmers in Kerala, contains blatant lies. "This explanation confirms all the corruption allegations I have raised. Anert's note, filled with falsehoods, is part of the electricity minister's attempt to evade answering the allegations," Chennithala said. He said the official has listed such blatant lies to cover up the corruption conducted on behalf of the electricity minister. "We all witnessed what happened to the former principal secretary to the chief minister, who justified a consultancy corruption deal I exposed during the previous govt's tenure. The same fate awaits this official," he added. "If attempts to protect this corrupt official continue, another major corruption involving him will soon be exposed. The govt has become one that charges commissions through consultancies," Chennithala said. When Anert called for a tender worth Rs 240cr, the CEO's authority was only Rs 5cr. Anert's claim that they did not call for a Rs 240-cr tender is a blatant lie. Kerala's e-tender portal clearly recorded the Rs 240-cr tender. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Similarly, the explanation given for amending the financial bid is strange. The most important aspect of a financial bid is the amount recorded. Amending a bid means changing the amount, he added. Another major falsehood is the claim that the CAG report approved this tender process. The CAG report examining the tender processing of this period has not yet been released, making this claim a blatant violation of service rules by the Anert official concerned, he said. The beneficiaries of the commission from the multi-crore transactions through Anert will soon be revealed. The electricity minister can no longer evade this issue. "I have all the evidence and documents of the corruption and irregularities. I challenge the minister for a detailed investigation. The minister should face the investigation with dignity instead of hiding behind officials. An investigation of Anert's transactions over the past five years should be conducted, and the legislative assembly committee should recommend an inquiry," demanded Ramesh Chennithala.
