Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and Punjab BJP in-charge, died in a tragic Air India plane crash.
CHANDIGARH: In a fatal accident, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing former Gujarat Chief Minister and Punjab BJP in-charge Vijay Rupani. Rupani had been the BJP’s incharge for Punjab and Chandigarh for the last three years and had gone campaigning just the other day for the party candidate Jiwan Gupta for the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll on June 19. Only days before the crash, on June 3, Rupani had accompanied Gupta to submit his nomination papers. He had also attended election campaigning and left for Gujarat from Ludhiana on June 9.
BJP leaders bid him farewell at the airport. During his recent trip to Ludhiana, Rupani, accompanied by Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu, announced Gupta as “a clean and honest candidate,” contrasting him with opposition candidates from the Congress and AAP, whom he claimed were under Enforcement Directorate investigation.
On Rupani’s passing in the plane crash, Jakhar expressed grief on X, stating, “Extremely saddened and heartbroken to learn that Sh. Vijay Rupani ji was on board the ill-fated Air India plane which crashed today (June 12) in Ahmedabad. His contributions as Gujarat CM will be cherished forever. He was a humble and compassionate human being and a grassroots leader. I have had the lucky fortune of being associated with him as he was in charge of Punjab BJP. He was a real ‘gentleman politician.’ Not only has Gujarat lost a great leader in him, but it is a personal loss for me, as I found his gentle and soft demeanour so endearing. His sagacity and simplicity in public life will be missed. RIP Rupani ji.” During campaigning, Rupani claimed that “every other candidate has allegations against them, but our candidate is clean.” He also reminded people that the Ludhiana West segment had always remained a BJP seat, referring to the party’s record in past elections — 29,000 votes in 2022 despite farmers’ protests, and 47,000 votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, leaving all other parties behind in the constituency.
He said that by fielding a tireless grassroots worker like Gupta, the BJP had sent the right kind of message. He denounced the Congress and AAP for fielding candidates facing allegations of corruption. Rupani was originally assigned as Punjab BJP in-charge on September 9, 2022. He was also entrusted with the charge of Chandigarh.
In July 2024, his tenure was renewed, reiterating his pivotal position in the party’s Punjab plan. Rupani was making all efforts to organise the BJP in Punjab on a long-term basis. In April 2025, while visiting Ludhiana, he announced that the Ludhiana West by-election would be a mirror for the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls. He asserted BJP’s win there would be the stepping stone for the party to form the Punjab government in 2027.
With a reputation for responsible political strategising, Rupani had been preparing to contest the Ludhiana West by-election since April 2025. He had travelled to Ludhiana three months ago and held behind-closed-doors strategy sessions with local party brass and booth workers. His presence energised the local cadre, particularly following the party’s enhanced vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Though the BJP lost all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab in 2024, its share of votes increased substantially. Having secured 9.63% votes in 2019, the party received 18.56% votes in 2024 — an increase of almost 9%. Congress won 7 seats, AAP 3, SAD 1, and Independents secured 2.
Despite failing to open its account, BJP interpreted the vote share increase as a strong signal of growing support, largely attributed to Rupani’s strategic groundwork. Rupani’s sudden death comes as a major shock for the BJP, especially its Punjab unit. He was seen as a stabilising force and a tactician who brought experience, calm leadership, and a methodical approach to the BJP’s expansion in the politically complex state.
As Punjab gears up for the Ludhiana West by-election, the BJP now faces the emotional and organisational challenge of contesting without the man who had led its campaign from the front.
