Gujarat Assembly Pays Emotional Tribute to Late CM Vijay Rupani and Others
The Gujarat Assembly kicked off its seventh session of the 15th Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday with a touching start. Lawmakers gathered to pay heartfelt tributes to former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and several other leaders who passed away recently. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led the way, sharing warm memories of Rupani’s key role in keeping Gujarat’s development on track without any breaks.
They also honored former ministers like Hemaben Acharya, Ishwarsinh Chavda, Noorjahanbakh Babi, and Prof. Balwantray Manvar, along with ex-MLAs Bhupendrakumar Patni and Ranchhodbhai Mer. The entire house stood in silence for two minutes to remember these departed souls, including the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash.
In a moving ceremony, Chief Minister Patel and Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary unveiled a portrait of Rupani right at the podium. Rupani’s wife Anjali and other family members joined them for this special moment. This follows a cherished tradition in the Gujarat Assembly, where portraits of former chief ministers, speakers, and national leaders hang in the complex to celebrate their legacies on birth and death anniversaries.
Ministers, MLAs, and family members stepped forward to offer floral tributes. Everyone spoke fondly of Rupani’s lifelong dedication to public service and how he helped shape Gujarat’s political scene and growth story.
The Heartbreaking Ahmedabad Plane Crash That Claimed Rupani’s Life
The tributes hit even harder because of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—crashed just 32 seconds after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The London-bound flight suddenly dropped in altitude and slammed into a hostel block at B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area. This sparked a huge fire and caused massive destruction.
The plane carried 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew members. Sadly, 241 people on board lost their lives, and 19 others on the ground also died in the chaos. Only one survivor emerged: British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was in seat 11A and escaped with minor injuries.
Former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, aged 68, was one of the victims. He had led Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 and was traveling in Business Class to London with his wife to visit their daughter. Authorities identified his remains through DNA testing and handed them over to his family.
Early reports from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) suggest the crash happened due to a sudden loss of thrust in both engines. Investigators believe the fuel control switches flipped from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" position right after takeoff. Teams are still digging into what caused this switch movement, as the full Ahmedabad plane crash investigation continues.
This session marks a poignant reminder of Rupani’s lasting impact on Gujarat politics and development, while the nation mourns the victims of one of India’s worst aviation disasters.
