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Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Beyond Political Divide: When BJP, Congress leaders shared stage to award Tazia makers
On Sunday, two senior leaders, one each from the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, attended a Tazia procession being carried out by the Muslim community members on the occasion of Muharram in Surat. During the procession, Gujarat BJP Chief and Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Paatil attended the procession with Mayor Daxesh Mavani, City BJP President Paresh Patel, and the party's municipal corporators, among others. Tazias with best designs were handed out trophies by Paatil. Former Surat Mayor and senior Congress leader Kadir Pirzada shared the stage with Paatil as the latter recalled instances from the past such as allotment of a piece of land for installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj when Pirzada was the Surat mayor or when, following their joint efforts, two public events — celebration of the birth anniversary of the Maratha warrior king and Tazia processions — were held peacefully in Limbayat area of the city. Meanwhile, a former Congress MLA of Savarkundla in Amreli district attended a Tazia procession, a video of which went viral on social media. Speaking to The Indian Express, Dudhat said, 'As a public leader and someone belonging to a party that follows secularism, I participate in both Tazia procession as well as festivals of other religions every year. The video which went viral is of Limdi Chowk, in Savarkundla town of Amreli district, on Sunday afternoon. As a public leader, I got an invitation and not only did I remain present, I also participated in the rituals. During Hindu festivals, the Muslims also took an active part, giving water and soft drinks to the people participating in the Hindu procession.' He further said, 'It is a norm in villages in Gujarat where both Hindus and Muslims participate in each other's religious activities. I have done nothing new.'
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Nearing Milestone
Now that BJP has fast-tracked the organisational election process, every state unit is awaiting a new team. If the Gujarat unit elections take 18 more days, Union Minister C R Patil would complete five years as the party's state president. Patil was appointed Gujarat BJP chief on July 20, 2020, and continued on the post despite becoming a Union Cabinet minister in June 2024. With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections still some time away, a film is eagerly awaited in the political circles from Delhi to Lucknow. 'Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi', a Hindi film based on UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's life and political journey, is set to hit the theatres on August 1 and there will be special screenings. The trailer creates an aura around Yogi and a dialogue — 'Baba aate nahin prakat hote hain' — has already created a buzz. The film is inspired by Shantanu Gupta's book, 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister'. Since taking charge at Krishi Bhawan, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been frequently travelling outside Delhi. This week, he is scheduled to chair a consultative committee meeting in Srinagar. The two-day meeting will be attended by MPs and several senior officials. Originally planned for May 2, the meeting was postponed due to the Pahalgam terror attack. Discussions on natural farming and the National Oilseeds Mission are on the meeting agenda.
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
From Union ministers to common man: Hundreds gather in Rajkot to bid final farewell to Rupani
Hundreds of people lined up on the roads of Rajkot on Monday, as the mortal remains of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani reached his home town for his final rites. As people thronged the city roads with tearful eyes, offering floral tributes and chanting slogans hailing 'Vijaybhai', as he was fondly called, the family of the former CM was also joined by Union ministers Amit Shah and C R Paatil, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Governor Acharya Devvrat among many other party leaders. Rupani, one of the passengers who died in the plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, was traveling to London to join his daughter and other family members. Earlier in the day, wrapped in the Tricolour, Rupani's mortal remains were handed over to his family at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital with state honours. Rupani's body was also accorded a Guard of Honour. On the occasion, CM Bhupendra Patel and ministers of his cabinet in the state government too remained present to offer tributes to Rupani. The handing over of the mortal remains happened after the DNA samples of Rupani's family members matched with his mortal remains Sunday. Following the identification of Rupani's body, the Gujarat government observed a day's official mourning Monday. Rupani's wife Anjaliben, his daughter Radhika, son Rushabh and other family members were handed over the mortal remains as all of them broke down while paying tributes to him. Subsequently, Rupani's mortal remains were taken to Rajkot by air. In Rajkot, the body was taken to his residence in a vehicle as people thronged the city roads to pay their last respect to the former CM. By late evening, as the funeral procession was carried out, Rajkot city witnessed heavy rains. However, people were seen braving the weather to pay tributes to their beloved leader. Rupani's final rites were performed at Ramnath Para cermatorium in the city around 9 pm. Three prayer meetings have been organised in Rajkot and Gandhinagar from Tuesday to pray tributes to Rupani. The first prayer meeting will be held at Race Course Maidan of Rajkot on Tuesday. On Thursday, a prayer meeting will be held at the Hall of Exhibition Centre of Helipad Ground in Gandhinagar. The third prayer meeting will be held, on Friday, by Gujarat BJP at its state headquarters Shree Kamalam in Gandhinagar. Rupani is also a former Gujarat BJP president.
The Print
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
We worked shoulder to shoulder in trying times—Modi after meeting ex-CM Vijay Rupani's family
Modi said he knew Rupani for decades. 'We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times.' 'Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst,' the prime minister wrote on X , expressing sorrow over the leader's death. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday paid tribute to former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, describing his death in the Air India plane crash as 'unimaginable', and remembering him as a dedicated party worker who excelled in every role assigned to him. 'Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party's ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat's Chief Minister,' Modi said in the post. Rupani (68), who served as Gujarat chief minister from 2016 to 2021, was among the 242 people on board Air India flight AI-171 which crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport Thursday afternoon. He was reportedly en route to London to visit his daughter when the aircraft plunged into a building near the airport, killing nearly everyone on board. Rupani's death in the country's worst air disaster in recent memory has sent shockwaves through political circles. The Prime Minister is currently in Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation following the crash. He visited hospitals, reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief efforts, and held meetings with state and central officials. Modi also met Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the crash. Modi also recounted Rupani's journey through his career—from his beginnings in Rajkot's municipal politics to his stint as a Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat BJP president, and a minister in the state government. 'In every role assigned, he distinguished himself, be it in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, as Rajya Sabha MP, as Gujarat BJP president and as Cabinet minister in the state government,' Modi added. Recalling their close collaboration during Rupani's tenure as CM, Modi said, 'He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarat's growth trajectory, particularly in boosting 'Ease of Living'. Will always cherish the interactions we had.' 'My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Vijay Rupani, Modi's go-to man & the CM who stood tall among the tallest of Gujarat leaders
News18
13-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Air India Crash: For Vijay Rupani, 1206 Was A Lucky Number — Until His Final Flight
Last Updated: For decades, 1206 had appeared in some of the most significant moments of Rupani's career, from his entry into politics to his tenure as chief minister For years, 1206 was more than just a number to Vijay Rupani. It was the former Gujarat chief minister's talisman, a symbol of fortune that had guided him through the pivotal moments of his life—from his rise in Gujarat politics to personal milestones. However, on June 12, that very number—which had once brought him success and fortune—would come to mark his untimely end. On Thursday, when Rupani boarded Air India AI171, bound for London, a routine flight that would take him to his family quickly turned into a nightmare. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, taking the lives of 241 people on board and leaving just one miracle survivor. Among them was the former chief minister, whose relationship with 1206 seemed almost prophetic in its tragic irony. For decades, 1206 had appeared in some of the most significant moments of Rupani's career, from his entry into politics to his tenure as chief minister. It had been the number on his election forms, the number of his personal cars, and even the one he used to sign personal documents. Rupani had often spoken of it with reverence, describing it as his 'lucky charm," the key to his success. His supporters, too, came to see it as a good omen—something that would continue to steer him toward a bright future. However, now, the number that once signified prosperity will forever symbolise an unfathomable loss. Confirming Rupani's death, Gujarat BJP state president CR Patil called it a 'great loss" for the party. 'Our leader, former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, was also on that flight. Vijay Rupani died in this tragedy. May God grant peace to his soul. This is a great loss for the BJP family as well," Patil said. The ill-fated Air India flight struggled to gain altitude and slammed into a hostel for doctors of a medical college, immediately killing five students. What seems to have compounded the impact was the fact that the airliner was loaded with aviation fuel since it was set to fly all the way to London. It was also revealed that shortly after takeoff, the pilot sent out a 'Mayday" call, but when Air Traffic Control tried to make repeated attempts to get in touch with the flight, there was no response. First Published:
