NEW DELHI: Former Gujarat chief ministerVijay Rupani, known for his calm composure and decisive administrative style, was among those who lost their lives in the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. He was 68.Rupani served as Gujarat’s chief minister from August 2016 to September 2021, a tenure marked by steady leadership during the state’s challenging post-Covid recovery phase. A seasoned politician, he was widely respected across party lines for his firm governance and unflappable demeanour.His political journey began in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad as a student leader. A committed activist during the Emergency, Rupani was jailed for a year in Bhavnagar in 1975 for participating in protests—an experience that shaped his lifelong dedication to public service.In 1987, Rupani entered electoral politics as a corporator in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, eventually rising to become Mayor. His influence grew steadily, leading to his tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012.As chief minister, Rupani championed industrial development and social equity. His government introduced the Gujarat Industrial Policy 2020, focused on investment and job creation, and launched key welfare schemes for tribal upliftment.He voluntarily stepped down in September 2021, paving the way for Bhupendra Patel ahead of state elections—a gesture that reflected his party-first approach and personal humility.The passing of Vijay Rupani marks a profound loss for Gujarat and Indian politics. A leader shaped by struggle, seasoned by governance, and remembered for grace under pressure, his legacy will remain etched in the state’s modern political history.(With PTI inputs)