Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani had twice changed London travel plans, June 12 was not his original date of travel
PTC Web Desk: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 242 passengers on board the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. Only one person survived the crash, while 241, including the senior BJP leader, lost their lives.
Rupani was en route to London to meet his wife and daughter. However, June 12 was not his original date of travel. According to airline records, he initially booked a seat on flight AI171 for May 19, with a planned return on June 25. He later postponed his journey and rebooked for June 5. That ticket was also cancelled. Ultimately, he chose to fly on June 12 and was seated in 2D—an ill-fated decision.
CCTV footage from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport showed the aircraft was airborne for merely 32 seconds before crashing into the hostel building of BJ Medical College, situated near the airport premises. A massive fireball erupted after the impact, destroying parts of the building and causing further casualties among those on the ground. Several injuries and fatalities were reported from the hostel as rescue teams responded.
A personal connection to '1206'
There is a chilling coincidence tied to Rupani’s long-held belief in the number ‘1206’, which he associated with luck and prosperity. The number adorned his car, scooter, and even the official vehicle during his tenure as Chief Minister. Ironically, he lost his life on June 12 (12/06)—a date now symbolising tragedy for those close to him. Party members and family say ‘1206’ was his personal symbol of fortune until fate intervened.
Born in 1956 in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, Vijay Rupani’s family relocated to Rajkot during the 1960s amid political upheaval in Southeast Asia. His political journey began in student activism, culminating in his election as a municipal corporator in 1987. He steadily rose through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), taking on roles such as Minister for Transport, Labour, and Water Supply.
He served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2006 to 2012 and was appointed a Cabinet minister in the Gujarat government in 2014. In August 2016, he became the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat, holding office until September 2021 when he resigned ahead of the assembly elections as part of a broader leadership reshuffle within the BJP.
Even after stepping down, Rupani remained an influential figure in Gujarat politics. He held an advisory position in the BJP’s state unit and was often consulted on policy and electoral strategies.
- With inputs from agencies
