Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 12 (ANI): Several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders mourned the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was onboard the London-bound Air India flight that crashed in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Thursday.In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vijay Rupani will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life to the development and welfare of his state.

“Deeply pained by the tragic demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani ji in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad. He will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life for the development & welfare of his state. Condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti,” Rajnath Singh said.

Earlier today, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight.”We are going to do a fair and thorough investigation, and probe why this incident happened. We still have to find out the numbers. Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, as were other nationals. I am totally shaken by the tragic and horrific incident.

I am still in a state of shock,” the Civil Aviation Minister said. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.Air India said that among the 230 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national.

Calling the death of Vijay Rupani “heart-wrenching”, BJP MP Sambit Patra emphasised that Rupani’s departure is an irreperable loss for the entire Indian Politics.”The news of the tragic demise of former Chief Minister of Gujarat and senior member of the BJP family, Vijay Rupani ji, in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely painful and heart-wrenching.

His departure is an irreparable loss not only for Gujarat but for the entire Indian politics. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath Ji grant the departed soul a place in his lotus feet and provide patience and strength to the bereaved family and supporters in this difficult time. Om Shanti,” Patra wrote on X. Ludhiana BJP also paid tribute to former Gujarat CM and party incharge of Punjab, Vijay Rupani, who died in the London-bound Air India plane crash.Delhi Minister Manjinder Sirsa called Vijay Rupani a “humble” and “kind-hearted leader”. “Deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Vijay Rupani Ji in the air crash. I had the privilege of getting his valuable guidance. He was a truly humble and kind-hearted leader. His dedication and wisdom will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” Sirsa said. BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh said that Rupani will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to public service.

“Saddened by the tragic demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani Ji in the unfortunate plane crash near Ahmedabad. His unwavering commitment to public service will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones in this moment of grief,” he said. Vijay Rupani was a two-time Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. He was also appointed as the BJP’s in-charge of Punjab. (ANI)

Rupani’s wife Anjali Rupani arrives in Ahmedabad

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani‘s wife, Anjali Rupani, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday after he lost his life in the AI-171 plane crash a day ago.Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi received her.Other family members also arrived in Ahmedabad reached the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asarwa, on Thursday. After Rupani, who was a passenger on the AI-171 plane that crashed yesterday died in the mishap,Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight.Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday.

“The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X.The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.

The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat‘s Ahmedabad into a resident doctors’ hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin.

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours.Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter.

An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site.The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.

Several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders mourned the death of Vijay Rupani. In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vijay Rupani will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life to the development and welfare of his state. (ANI)