20 hours ago
Vijay Rupani's hometown Rajkot prepares to bid its beloved neta a final farewell
RAJKOT/GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government is likely to announce a day-long state mourning in memory of former chief minister,
, who died in the Air India Ahmedabad-London Dreamliner crash on Thursday.
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Rupani's son, Rushabh, who arrived from the US early on Saturday, provided DNA samples to assist authorities in identifying his father's mortal remains.
Earlier, Rupani's sister submitted samples, but those did not match. "We are awaiting confirmation from the DNA results," a
member close to the family said.
In Rupani's hometown, Rajkot, preparations are underway for his last rites, with BJP and local authorities organising a grand funeral procession to allow citizens to bid a final farewell to their beloved neta.
The procession will begin at his residence in Prakash Society.
A prayer meeting is also being planned at Racecourse, although the final decision rests with the Rupani family.
Rajkot police issued a notification restricting vehicle movement and parking on the funeral route, anticipating heavy turnout from across the city and nearby villages. "A huge number of BJP workers, traders, and citizens are expected to join the procession," police stated.
BJP said the last rites are planned for Sunday, depending on the timely release of the mortal remains by Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
Several markets in Rajkot remained closed on Saturday, as a mark of respect to the departed former CM. Around 600 self-financed schools across Rajkot district also shut down.
Throughout Saturday, senior politicians and well-wishers gathered at the Rupani residence in Gandhinagar to express their condolences.
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BJP said members approached officials multiple times over the last two days, suggesting that Rupani's remains could be identified through a distinctive wristwatch he was known to wear. However, at least two attempts to identify a victim wearing such a watch proved unsuccessful, sources said.
