Recognized for his influence and leadership, Vijay Rupani was named among the Indian Express’s Top 100 Most Influential Indians of 2021.
Vijay Rupani: Former Gujarat Chief Minister and Veteran BJP Leader Who Rose from Student Activism to State Leadership
Who is Vijay Rupani? latest updates: Vijay Ramniklal Rupani, also known as Vijay Rupani, was a BJP leader whose political journey began with grassroots-level activism and student politics. He gradually rose through the ranks, serving in various local governance roles, completing a tenure in the Rajya Sabha, and eventually holding the office of Chief Minister of Gujarat for two terms. Known for his calm leadership and welfare-oriented initiatives, Rupani remained a significant figure in Gujarat’s political landscape.
He was born on 2 August 1956 in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, and his family relocated to Rajkot, Gujarat, in 1960. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in 1977 from Dharmendrasinghji Arts College and obtained his LLB degree in 1980 from A.M.P. Law College under Saurashtra University, Rajkot.
His wife, Anjali Rupani, is also active in the BJP’s women’s wing. The couple had three children—Rushabh, Radhika, and a younger son who tragically passed away in an accident. In memory of their late son, they established the Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust, according to Mapsofindia.com.
Rupani began his political activism in college, engaging with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and later became an RSS swayamsevak in the 1970s. He officially joined Jan Sangh in 1971. During the Emergency in 1976, he was imprisoned for approximately 11 months, serving time in jails in Bhuj and Bhavnagar.
He entered local politics in Rajkot, where he served as Mayor from 1996 to 1997. He held several key positions within the BJP, including multiple terms as Gujarat BJP General Secretary. He also served as Chairman of Gujarat Tourism in 2006 and the Municipal Finance Board in 2013.
Rupani was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2006 and served until 2012. In a 2014 by-election, he became the MLA from Rajkot West.
He took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 August 2016, succeeding Anandiben Patel. He was re-elected in December 2017 and continued in office until 11 September 2021, when he resigned and was succeeded by Bhupendrabhai Patel.
Recognized for his influence and leadership, Vijay Rupani was named among the Indian Express’s Top 100 Most Influential Indians of 2021.
At the time of his last asset declaration, he had reported movable assets worth approximately rupees 5.43 crore, which included cash, investments, vehicles, and jewellery, and immovable assets worth rupees 3 crore, including residential and land properties in Rajkot. His liabilities were reported to be around rupees 0.83 crore.
