Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tragically lost his life in an Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad, state BJP president CR Patil confirmed. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, went down just minutes after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy,” Patil expressed grief over the incident, noting the loss of lives, including Rupani’s. “The demise of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has left the BJP family devastated. We pray for the departed souls and hope their families find the strength to cope with this sorrow,” he said while speaking in Mehsana.

Rupani held the post of Chief Minister from August 2016 until September 2021, stepping down before the 2022 Assembly elections.

He now becomes the second Gujarat CM to die in an aviation mishap, following the death of Balwantrai Mehta in a 1965 plane crash.

BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra called Rupani’s passing “a shocking and painful loss.” In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “This is not just a blow to Gujarat, but a setback for the entire Indian political landscape. May Lord Jagannath grant peace to his soul and give strength to his loved ones in this difficult time. Om Shanti.”

Echoing the sentiment, BJP Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar described Rupani as a "true gentleman in politics." In his tribute, he said, “His calm, composed nature and wise presence will be sorely missed. This is a personal loss for me as well. RIP Rupani ji.”

Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh also mourned the loss, calling the crash “a deeply saddening incident.” “Vijay Rupani’s dedication to public life will be remembered with respect. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all who knew him,” he wrote on X.

According to a flight manifest obtained by India Today, Rupani was one of twelve individuals on board, listed in the business-class section under Z class.

After news of the crash spread on Thursday, a heavy atmosphere of concern and sorrow descended upon his Rajkot home, where tearful neighbors gathered in hope and disbelief.