Rajkot, June 24 -- Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday paid tribute to former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the Air India AI-171 plane crash on June 12.

Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said, "In the Air India plane crash, our very dear senior BJP leader and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani lost his life... In this unfortunate incident, along with Vijay Bhai, approximately 280 people have lost their lives, and we, the party, their families, and all the people of the country, express our condolences... May God grant peace to their souls..."

The last rites of Vijay Rupani were performed with full state honours in Rajkot on June 16. His mortal remains were taken in a funeral procession through th...