Air India plane crash: Rajkot bids teary farewell to former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

The BJP leader was on his way to meet his daughter in the British capital.

Scores of people in Rajkot joined the funeral ceremony of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who died in last week's deadly Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 270 people.

Several people, including women, who were teary-eyed, showered flowers and folded their hands as they bid a final goodbye to Rupani (68), whose last rites were held with full state honours. The final journey spanned six kilometres from his home to the funeral site.

Earlier today,  the mortal remains Rupan, were handed over to his family members on Monday. His remains were then brought to Rajkot, his hometown, for the last rites.

BJP chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Rajkot to participate in Rupani's funeral. The former Gujarat Chief Minister's son, Rishabh, was also present at the last rites.

Rupani served as the Gujarat Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021. He resigned months before the 2022 Gujarat Assembly polls as part of the BJP's strategy to induce a fresh face ahead of the elections. He was the BJP's in-charge for Punjab and Chandigarh.

Rupani was among the 242 people aboard the doomed Flight AI171 that took off from the Ahmedabad airport on June 12 and was en route to London's Gatwick airport. The BJP leader was on his way to meet his daughter in the British capital.

Three days after the crash, Rupani's body was identified through DNA testing and his remains were handed over to his family. His body was airlifted from Ahmedabad to Rajkot for the funeral.