'We Worked Together': PM Modi Mourns Gujarat Ex-CM Vijay Rupani In Air India Crash Tragedy

Photo Credit: @narendramodi/ X

Air India Plane Crash: An Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, claiming over 260 lives, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was on board. A day after the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the city to take stock of the situation, and later he posted on X that he met with the family of BJP Leader Rupani. 

In a thread of posts on X, the Prime Minister mentioned that he worked with the former Gujarat CM. 

"Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was Gujarat CM. He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarat’s growth trajectory, particularly in boosting ‘Ease of Living.’ Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," he wrote. 

"In every role assigned, he distinguished himself, be it in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, as Rajya Sabha MP, as Gujarat BJP President and as Cabinet Minister in the state government," in the next thread he added. 

PM Modi in the post added that he has known Rupani for decades and they have worked together "shoulder to shoulder".  

"It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party's ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat’s Chief Minister," he added. 

Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji.

It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed… pic.twitter.com/KbmDsKtARG

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the site of the crash and met with the injured in the Civil Hospital. He also held a meeting with the officials to assess the situation. 

Air Crash 

The Air India flight AI171 was travelling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and crashed shortly after its takeoff. The aircraft had departed from the airport at 1:38 pm and was carrying 242 passengers when it struck the BJ Medical College, resulting in more destruction. An ex gratia was announced by the Tata Group after the tragedy. 

Rescue operations were carried out after the incident. 

After the tragedy, PM Modi had a conversation with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.