PM Modi meets ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani's family after Ahmedabad plane crash

Paying his tribute to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, PM Modi said that the former CM was a humble and hardworking person and firmly committed to the party's ideology.

"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 to the Party's ideology," PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

"Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat's Chief Minister," he added.

PM Modi hailed the former Gujarat CM's contribution in various posts that he held over the years.

"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," PM Modi said.

"Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was the 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 added.

Vijay Rupani died in the Air India-171 flight, which crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday. His wife, Anjali Rupani, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi visited the crash site.

After visiting the site, Modi wrote on X: "Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy."

He also met those people who were injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London with 242 people onboard, crashed immediately after it took off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, leaving 241 people dead.

One person, the passenger of seat No. 11A,  survived the crash miraculously, the Ahmedabad Police said.

The lone survivor in the mishap was taken to the hospital and is under treatment.