Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], June 13 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Friday expressed grief on the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who was killed in the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad and stated that Rupani was a man with no enemies who stayed away from politics.

'He actively did a lot of work for the people... He was a man with no enemies who stayed away from controversial politics...This is a tragic incident. Our former Gujarat CM, Vijay Bhai Rupani, was on the same plane...' Vala told ANI.

Former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was among the 241 passengers who were in the ill-fated Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171 that crashed seconds after take-off and crashed into a resident doctors' hostel building.

The death of the former CM has left his family, friends, and neighbours devastated.

Speaking to ANI, one of his neighbours, Kiranben, with a wrenched heart, stated that it still feels as if he is present with them. She could not believe she had lost her neighbour Rupani.

'...I still feel as if he is with us. I have not been able to say anything since yesterday. His memories will stay with us always...We used to celebrate all the festivals together...Cannot believe this has happened,' she said.

For Rupani's neighbour and family doctor, Dr Nayan Shah, it is hard to believe what has happened, but it would be the memories which he will cherish forever.

Shah stated, 'We have been neighbours for 35 years. His memories will always stay with us. Be it good or bad times, we stayed together...We used to celebrate all the festivals together...It is very difficult to believe, but we have to stay with his memories.'

Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. (ANI)