GANDHINAGAR: For Gujarat’s former chief minister Vijay Rupani, the number 1206 was a symbol of fortune, a silent companion through the years. He believed in it with a tender faith. The registration plates of all his vehicles – scooters and cars – had 1206 on them. Friends say it had always been his lucky charm.But fate gave it a cruel twist. On June 12 – 12/06 – the same number that followed him for decades marked the day his journey ended. Rupani was aboard the AI flight that crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad. He was en route to London to meet his wife and daughter. He never arrived. The ex-CM, now the party in charge of Punjab, had put off his visit to the UK from June 5 to 12, owing to Ludhiana West bypoll on June 19, said Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar.“This is very unfortunate. This is how destiny and fate play out that he came into harm’s way. He was to leave along with his wife on June 5, but rescheduled his visit to campaign for Ludhiana West bypoll,” Jakhar told TOI. Rajkot mourns demise of ex-CM Rupani, its friendly neighbour In Rajkot, the city ex-CM Vijay Rupani had served and loved, the news settled like a slow, heavy fog. He wasn’t just a political figure – he was a familiar face, a neighbour, a man who had time for everyone. Those who knew him remember his humility more than his achievements. He had been instrumental in key development works – the new airport, AIIMS – but it was his quiet presence, his unwavering availability, that left a deeper mark.“He was a tall neta, yes,” said Sanjay Mehta, a neighbour. “But he lived like one of us. Always kind. Always ready to help. You’d never know he held such a big position. To us, he was Vijaybhai – our neighbour, friend.”Politicians from across the political spectrum condoled Rupani’s death and paid tribute. Authorities involved in rescue and relief operations confirmed he was among the dead. His nephew Mehul Rupani said, “The family is devastated to know about the sad demise of uncle. Anjali aunty (Rupani’s wife) and her daughter are returning from London, as are other relatives from the US. We will follow the processes as advised by govt to take custody of his mortal remains. Family is in shock.” Rupani’s personal assistant Shailesh Mandaliya, who dropped him off at the airport, said, “Few minutes after dropping him, we heard the news.”Born on Aug 2, 1956 in Yangon, Myanmar into a Jain family, Rupani, was the seventh and youngest child. His family moved to Rajkot in 1960 due to political instability in Myanmar.