NEW DELHI: Former Gujarat Chief Minister and former BJP state president Vijay Rupani was one of the victims in the Ahmedabad plane crash that shook the country. Meanwhile, some strange things related to his death and lucky number are being discussed on social media.

Vijay Rupani believed that 1206 was a symbol of fortune. From his old scooter to cars, all his vehicles have the registration number 1206. He also chose 1206, or June 12, for his flight to meet his daughter and wife living in London. It is also a coincidence that he boarded the plane at 12.10 pm and sat in seat number 12 in business class.

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said that Vijay Rupani had postponed his trip from June 5 to June 12 in view of the by-election in Ludhiana West. Vijay, who was supposed to go to London with his wife on June 5, had told his wife that he would arrive on 12th.

Vijay Rupani was the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021. He was born in present-day Myanmar. His family migrated to Rajkot in Gujarat due to political instability in Myanmar.

Vijay Rupani was active in the ABVP and later the RSS during his studies in Gujarat. He also worked in the Jana Sangh, the first form of the BJP. He came to prominence in politics in 1966 by becoming the mayor of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. Later, he established his influence in the state BJP. He became a Rajya Sabha member in 2006.

In 2014, he won the by-election from Rajkot and entered the assembly. He became a member of the cabinet of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who succeeded Narendra Modi.

As part of the strategy to maintain the party's dominance in Gujarat, the central leadership gave him the post of BJP state president in February 2016. When Anandiben Patel resigned in August, the party's national leadership did not have to consider anyone else for the post. He won again from Rajkot in the 2017 assembly elections and continued as the chief minister. However, he had to resign in September 2021 following controversies related to stock transactions. His wife is BJP leader Anjaliben. He leaves behind his son Rushabh, daughter Radhika. Another son, Pujith, died in a car accident.