Ahmedabad (National Times): Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is feared to have been aboard Air India Flight AI171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday morning en route to London Gatwick.
According to highly placed sources, Rupani was among the 232 passengers on the ill-fated international flight. While Air India has confirmed the crash, there is no official statement yet regarding the safety or whereabouts of Vijay Rupani.
The news has sparked widespread concern across Gujarat, especially in Rajkot and Gandhinagar, where Rupani has a strong political presence. Senior BJP leaders in the state are in touch with central authorities and Air India officials, seeking urgent clarity on his status.
Rupani, who served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021, had reportedly boarded the flight for a private visit to the UK. His family has not issued a public comment, but sources close to them say they are “devastated and waiting for concrete information.”
Top BJP leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who also hails from Gujarat, is believed to be personally monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Emergency teams continue search and rescue operations near the site, but passenger-specific details remain scarce at this hour.
As prayers pour in from across the political spectrum and beyond, the entire state remains on edge, anxiously hoping for a positive update about one of Gujarat’s most prominent political figures.
