In a heartbreaking twist of fate, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s cherished number “1206” turned into the date of his tragic demise. On June 12, 2025—12/06—Rupani was among the 242 people aboard Air India Flight AI171 that crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, leaving only one survivor.
For decades, the number 1206 followed Rupani like a personal charm. It featured on every vehicle he owned—from his first scooter in Rajkot to his official car as chief minister. Family and friends associated the number with his rise in politics, from student activism to becoming Gujarat’s 16th CM. But now, 1206 marks the day his journey ended.
The 68-year-old BJP veteran was headed to London to meet his daughter and wife, Anjaliben, also an active party member. He was seated in 2D when the Dreamliner crashed into a hostel block at Meghaninagar, just 33 seconds after takeoff. The explosion caused a massive fire, flattening the building and claiming nearly every life onboard.
BJP leaders and party workers across Gujarat are mourning the loss. “It’s an irreplaceable void,” said BJP state president C.R. Patil. “He was on a personal trip to meet family, and we lost a leader who shaped Gujarat’s growth.”
Photos from his Rajkot residence still show his beloved 1206-numbered cars—now silent markers of a storied life.
Born in Rangoon and raised in Rajkot, Rupani led Gujarat through challenging times like the COVID-19 recovery and initiated major industrial and tribal welfare reforms. Though he stepped down in 2021, he remained an influential voice in the party.
Now, 1206 no longer echoes luck—but the memory of a leader lost too soon.
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