Ahmedabad:

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Rupani was on board the ill-fated flight, as his name appeared as the 12th entry on the official passenger manifest, listed under Z class, which is a Business Class category. Rupani, who served as Gujarat Chief Minister from August 2016 to September 2021, was one of several high-profile passengers.

Who is Vijay Rupani?

A dedicated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member since school days, Rupani was known for his hard work while maintaining a low profile. His appointment as the Chief Minister was viewed as recognition of his Jain community.

Rupani became the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat on August 7, 2016, following the resignation of Anandiben Patel, who is currently the Uttar Pradesh Governor. After 1,825 days in power, Rupani was the fourth chief minister in the state with the longest tenure. Before him, Narendra Modi , the current Prime Minister governed Gujarat for a total of 4,610 days. Additionally, Hitendra Desai (2,062 days) and Madhavsinh Solanki (2,049 days) of Congress had significant terms in office.

Early Life & Education:

Rupnai was a leader with considerable influence in Saurashtra, a politically significant region of Gujarat. Born in Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar) to Ramniklal Rupani in 1956, he grew up in Rajkot, where he joined the RSS. He earned a BA and later an LLB.

Political Career:

As the chairman of the state tourism corporation, he led the 'Khushbu Gujarat Ki' campaign to promote the state as a tourist destination. From 2006 to 2012, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, participating in various Parliamentary committees on water resources, food, public distribution, public undertakings and more.

Rupani began his political career as a student leader in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1976. Over the years, he maintained his image as a soft-spoken and humble individual. When he took office, Gujarat was facing a large-scale agitation led by the politically influential Patidar community, demanding reservation. The young Patidar leader Hardik Patel had emerged as the face of this agitation, putting pressure on the BJP. Simultaneously, farmers began protesting against the state government, seeking higher prices for their crops.

In 2013, he was appointed chairman of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board. In October 2014, he won a by-election for the Rajkot West Assembly seat by a significant margin after the sitting MLA, Vajubhai Vala, resigned upon being appointed as Karnataka Governor.

The BJP secured 99 of the 182 seats, achieving a simple majority, although it was the party's lowest tally while in power. The only consolation was that they remained in power. Speculation about Rupani being replaced as chief minister had persisted since he first took office in 2014, but he managed to defy those expectations. On February 19, Rupani became the Gujarat BJP president, succeeding R C Faldu.

The Assembly elections in December 2017 marked a significant test for Rupani. It was the first election after Narendra Modi and his trusted lieutenant Amit Shah had moved to Delhi, leaving a leadership vacuum in the state. Although Modi and Shah made efforts, Rupani remained the public face of the state government.

Contribution To The Field:

As chief minister, he energised the administration since returning to office in December 2017. He successfully garnered support from the Patidar community by fostering distrust towards Hardik Patel, whose decision to join the Congress was seen as a boon for the BJP. Rupani began to spread the narrative that the Patidar agitation was instigated by the Congress.

Rupani's most significant achievement to date occurred in February 2021, when the BJP won all six municipal corporation elections, securing 75 out of 81 municipal councils and 196 out of 231 taluka panchayats. Overall, the BJP now controls over 90% of Gujarat's territory.

Rupani's Goal:

While in office, Rupani urged urban local bodies to prioritise the happiness of the people. He described his government as "decisive" and "sensitive," noting that he has made over 1,800 people-centric decisions in five years.

Rupani's Legacy:

It was not an easy role. Dealing with both external influences and internal party issues required ongoing balancing. Between August 7, 2016 and September 11, 2021, there were periods of political fervour and quiet. Rupani had an impact on Gujarat. His initiatives undoubtedly influenced the state's future. His life was an account of unwavering dedication in the difficult realm of Indian politics.

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