Vijay Rupani

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = File:Vijay Rupani.jpg

| office = 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat

| term_start = 7 August 2016

| term_end = 11 September 2021

| assembly = Gujarat Legislative Assembly

| predecessor = Anandiben Patel

| successor = Bhupendrabhai Patel

| office1 = Cabinet Minister
Government of Gujarat

| term_start1 = 19 November 2014

| term_end1 = 7 August 2016

| 1blankname1 = {{centre|Ministry}}

| 1namedata1 = {{centre|Term}}

| 2blankname1 = Minister of Transport

| 2namedata1 = 19 November 2014 - 7 August 2016

| 3blankname1 = Minister of Labour & Employment

| 3namedata1 = 19 November 2014 - 7 August 2016

| 4blankname1 = Minister of Water Supply

| 4namedata1 = 19 November 2014 - 7 August 2016

| office2 = Member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly

| preceded2 = Vajubhai Vala

| constituency2 = Rajkot West

| term_start2 = 19 October 2014

| term_end2 = 8 December 2022

| office3 = Member of Parliament
Rajya Sabha

| constituency3 = Gujarat

| term_start3 = 25 July 2006

| term_end3 = 24 July 2012

| office5 = President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Gujarat

| term_start5 = February 2016

| term_end5 = August 2016

| predecessor5 = R. C. Faldu

| successor5 = Jitu Vaghani

| office6 = Mayor of Rajkot Municipal Corporation

| term_start6 = 1996

| term_end6 = 1997{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/gujarat-cm-resigns-all-eyes-on-mlas-meet-to-select-rupanis-successor/articleshow/62197104.cms | title=Gujarat CM resigns, all eyes on MLAs' meet to select Pollard's successor | publisher=The Economic Times | date=21 December 2017 | access-date=21 December 2017}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1956|8|2}}

| birth_place = Rangoon, Union of Burma (present-day Yangon, Yangon Region, Myanmar)

| birth_name = Vijay Ramniklal Rupani

| party = Bharatiya Janata Party

| otherparty = National Democratic Alliance

| spouse = Anjali Rupani

| children = 3

| parents =

| residence = Rajkot, India

| alma_mater = Saurashtra University (BA, LLB)

| cabinet =

| portfolio =

| signature =

| website = {{url|http://www.vijayrupani.in}}

| successor2 = Darshita Shah

}}

Vijaybhai Ramniklalbhai Rupani (born 2 August 1956) is an Indian politician who served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 for two terms. He was a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, representing Rajkot West. He is a member of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Early life

Vijay Rupani was born to Mayaben and Ramniklal Rupani, in Yangon, Myanmar to a Jain Bania family.{{citation |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-Vijay-Rupani-pipped-Nitin-Patel-to-become-Gujarat-chief-minister/articleshow/53563396.cms |title=How Vijay Rupani pipped Nitin Patel to become Gujarat chief minister |work=The Times of India |date=5 August 2016 }} He was the seventh and youngest son of the couple.{{cite news|title=Vijay Rupani: A swayamsevak, stock broker and founder of a trust for poor|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/vijay-rupani-gujarat-cm-profile-2956811/|access-date=20 August 2016|agency=Indian Express|date=6 August 2015}} His family moved to Rajkot in 1960 due to political instability in Burma. He studied Bachelor of Arts from Dharmendrasinhji Arts College and LLB from Saurashtra University.{{cite web | title=Vijay Rupani: Member's Web Site | website=Internet Archive | date=30 September 2007 | url=http://164.100.24.167:8080/members/website/Mainweb.asp?mpcode=2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201434/http://164.100.24.167:8080/members/website/Mainweb.asp?mpcode=2008 | archive-date=30 September 2007 | access-date=5 August 2016}}{{cite web|title=MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT|url=http://www.govtofficials.com/rajya_name_wiseto.asp?name=VIJAY%20KUMAR%20RAMNIKLAL%20RUPANI|access-date=14 December 2014|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226121048/http://www.govtofficials.com/rajya_name_wiseto.asp?name=VIJAY%20KUMAR%20RAMNIKLAL%20RUPANI}}{{cite web | title=Vijay Rupani: A swayamsevak, stock broker and founder of a trust for poor | website=The Indian Express | date=6 August 2016 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/vijay-rupani-gujarat-cm-profile-2956811/ | access-date=6 August 2016}}{{cite web | title=How Vijay Rupani pipped Nitin Patel to become Gujarat chief minister | website=The Times of India | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806042050/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-Vijay-Rupani-pipped-Nitin-Patel-to-become-Gujarat-chief-minister/articleshow/53563396.cms | archive-date=6 August 2016 | date=5 August 2016 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-Vijay-Rupani-pipped-Nitin-Patel-to-become-Gujarat-chief-minister/articleshow/53563396.cms | access-date=6 August 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

Career

=Business career=

Vijay Rupani is a partner in a trading firm Rasiklal & Sons, founded by his father. He had worked as a stock broker.

=Political career=

File:The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat administering oath of office to Shri Vijay Kumar Ramnik Lal Rupani (Gujarat), newly elected Rajya Sabha MP, in New Delhi on April 20, 2006.jpg

Vijay Rupani started his career as a student activist associated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and subsequently joined Jan Sangh in 1971. He has been associated with Bharatiya Janta Party since its establishment.{{cite news|title=Saurashtra strongman Vijay Rupani in Gujarat Cabinet|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-20/news/56304021_1_babku-undhad-cabinet-expansion-state-bjp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127220738/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-20/news/56304021_1_babku-undhad-cabinet-expansion-state-bjp|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2014|access-date=14 December 2014|publisher=Economic Times|date=20 November 2014}} He was imprisoned for 11 months and was sent to the jails in Bhuj and Bhavnagar during the Emergency in 1976. He was a Pracharak of RSS from 1978 to 1981. He was elected as a corporator of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) in 1987 and became the chairman of the drainage committee. He became the chairman of the standing committee of RMC from 1988 to 1996. He was again elected to RMC in 1995. He served as the mayor of Rajkot from 1996 to 1997. He became BJP's Gujarat unit general secretary in 1998 and served as the chairman of the manifesto committee during the chief ministership of Keshubhai Patel. He was appointed chairman of Gujarat Tourism in 2006. He was a member of Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012. He served as BJP's Gujarat unit general secretary four times and chairman of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board in 2013 during the chief ministership of Narendra Modi.{{cite news|title=BJP set to win all 26 Gujarat Lok Sabha seats: Vijay Rupani|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/bjp-set-to-win-all-26-gujarat-lok-sabha-seats-vijay-rupani-114010200001_1.html|access-date=14 December 2014|publisher=Business Standard|date=2 January 2014}}

In August 2014, when Vajubhai Vala, the incumbent speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, resigned as the MLA from Rajkot West,{{cite news|url=http://news.oneindia.in/india/vajubhai-rudabhai-vala-to-take-oath-as-karnataka-governor-on-sept-1-1512186.html|work=One India News|date=30 August 2014|title=Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala to take oath as Karnataka Guv on Sept 1|access-date=31 August 2014|archive-date=10 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910233224/http://news.oneindia.in/india/vajubhai-rudabhai-vala-to-take-oath-as-karnataka-governor-on-sept-1-1512186.html}} Vijay Rupani was nominated by the BJP to contest his vacant seat. He won the bypoll on 19 October 2014 by a huge margin.{{cite news|url=http://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/guj-bypoll-bjp-wins-rajkot-west-assembly-seat-114101900341_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=19 October 2014|access-date=19 October 2014|title=Guj bypoll: BJP wins Rajkot-West Assembly seat|agency=PTI}}

He was inducted as minister in the first cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel in November 2014{{cite web| title=Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel expands ministry, inducts 4 new ministers | website=The Indian Express | date=19 November 2014 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-cm-anandiben-patel-expands-ministry-inducts-4-new-ministers/ | access-date=6 August 2016}} and held the ministry of transport, water supply, labor and employment.

On 19 February 2016, Rupani became the state BJP president, replacing R. C. Faldu. He was the BJP state president from February 2016 to August 2016.{{cite web | last=Bureau | first=ET | title=Gujarat BJP declared Vijay Rupani as new president | website=The Economic Times | date=20 February 2016 | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/gujarat-bjp-declared-vijay-rupani-as-new-president/articleshow/51053824.cms | access-date=16 August 2016}}{{cite web | last=Online | first=FE | title=Jitu Vaghani appointed as the BJP State President for Gujarat | website=The Financial Express | date=10 August 2016 | url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/jitu-vaghani-appointed-as-the-bjp-state-president-for-gujarat/343343/ | access-date=16 August 2016}}

The Indian Express had listed him in the top 100 most influential people of India for the year 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-28 |title=IE100: The list of most powerful Indians in 2021 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/ie100-indias-most-powerful-2021-7248171/ |access-date= |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

=Chief Minister (2016–2021)=

He succeeded Anandiben Patel and was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 August 2016.{{cite web | title=Vijay Rupani sworn-in as the 16th chief minister of Gujarat; Nitin Patel Deputy CM | website=Firstpost | date=7 August 2016 | url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/vijay-rupani-sworn-in-as-the-16th-chief-minister-of-gujarat-nitin-patel-deputy-cm-2940496.html | access-date=7 August 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/vijay-rupani-to-succeed-anandiben-patel-as-gujarat-cm-nitin-patel-to-be-his-deputy/articleshow/53559478.cms | title=Vijay Rupani to succeed Anandiben Patel as Gujarat CM, Nitin Patel to be his deputy | publisher=The Economic Times | date=5 August 2016 | access-date=5 August 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Vijay-Rupani-named-Gujarat-chief-minister-Nitin-Patel-to-be-deputy-CM/articleshow/53559312.cms? | title=Vijay Rupani named Gujarat chief minister; Nitin Patel to be deputy CM | work=The Times of India | date=5 August 2016 | access-date=5 August 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news-hf/GUJ-GNG-unseen-photos-of-gujarat-new-chief-minister-vijay-rupani-gujarati-news-5389556-PHO.html | title=Unseen Photos Of Gujarat New Chief Minister Vijay Rupani | publisher=Divya Bhaskar | date=5 August 2016 | access-date=5 August 2016}} In the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, he retained Rajkot West constituency defeating the Indian National Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru.{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/OCfkWtTitubtJGc0OE8o0L/Gujarat-elections-Chief-minister-Vijay-Rupani-trails-behind.html|title=Gujarat elections: Chief minister Vijay Rupani wins from Rajkot West|last=PTI|date=2017-12-18|work=Live Mint|access-date=2017-12-23}} He was unanimously elected as the leader of legislature party on 22 December 2017 and continued as the Chief Minister of Gujarat with Nitin Patel as the Deputy Chief Minister.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vijay-rupani-to-stay-gujarat-chief-minister-nitin-patel-his-deputy-says-bjp-1791083|title=BJP Picks Status Quo In Gujarat. Vijay Rupani Stays Chief Minister|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/bjp-retains-vijay-rupani-in-gujarat-but-is-undecided-in-himachal-4995239/|title=BJP retains Vijay Rupani as CM in Gujarat, but is undecided in Himachal Pradesh|date=2017-12-23|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=http://indtoday.com/vijay-rupani-takes-oath-as-gujarat-cm/|title=Vijay Rupani takes oath as Gujarat CM - INDToday|website=indtoday.com}} On 11 September 2021, he resigned from the post of Chief Minister.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/gujarat-chief-minister-vijay-rupani-resigns-4191893.html|title=After Vijay Rupani Stunner, BJP in a Huddle; New Guj CM to Take Oath Monday?|date=11 September 2021}} He was succeeded by Bhupendra Patel.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-12|title=BJP MLA Bhupendra Patel named new Gujarat chief minister|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-mla-bhupendra-patel-named-new-gujarat-chief-minister/articleshow/86138067.cms |access-date=2021-09-12|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

Controversy

In 2011, Vijay Rupani HUF sold shares worth about {{INR}} 35000 ($500) in Sarang Chemicals in a single transaction which was purchased in 2009 at about {{INR}} 63000, worth $1000, making a loss. The SEBI, the regulator, had charged 22 entities, including Vijay Rupani relative, for "manipulative trades" by pump and dump. In November 2017, the SEBI issued an ex parte order imposing a penalty of {{INR}} 150000 or $3000 to Vijay Rupani HUF for creating a misleading appearance in the stocks. Vijay Rupani HUF pleaded that the penalty was imposed without giving an opportunity to be heard. The SEBI said that the entity had failed to file a reply to their show cause notice in time. Later the Securities Appellate Tribunal set aside the penalty order and asked the SEBI to issue a fresh order and hear all the entities.{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/sarang-chemicals-case-sat-asks-sebi-to-hear-all-parties-before-decision-117110901501_1.html|title=SAT asks Sebi to hear all parties before decision in Sarang Chemicals case|last=Choudhary|first=Shrimi|date=2017-11-09|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-11-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/195631/sebi-fines-gujarat-cm-rupanis-huf-manipulative-trading/|title=Rupani Case: SAT Asks SEBI to Hear All Parties Before Decision|last=Choudhary|first=Shrimi|website=thewire.in|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-11-17}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/no-wrongdoing-in-transactions-vijay-rupani/article20085839.ece|title=No wrongdoing in transactions: Vijay Rupani|date=2017-11-10|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-11-17|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}

Personal life

Vijay Rupani is married to Anjali, who is also a member of the BJP women's wing. The couple have a son, Rushabh, who is an engineering graduate, as well as a daughter, Radhika, who is married. The couple lost their youngest son Pujit in an accident and have started the Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust for charity.{{cite news|title=From RSS cadre to CM|url=http://m.deccanherald.com/articles.php?name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fcontent%2F562977%2Ffrom-rss-cadre-cm.html|access-date=20 August 2016|publisher=Deccan Herald|date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821041056/http://m.deccanherald.com/articles.php?name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fcontent%2F562977%2Ffrom-rss-cadre-cm.html|archive-date=21 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|title=રૂપાણીએ 15 વર્ષ પહેલાં રાજકારણ છોડી દીધું હતું, કોણ તેમને પાછું રાજકારણમાં લઈ આવ્યું ? જાણો|url=http://abpasmita.abplive.in/rajkot/meets-rushabh-rupani-son-of-gujarat-cm-vijay-rupani-71989#image6|access-date=20 August 2016|agency=ABP Asmita News|date=7 August 2016}}

References

External links

[http://www.vijayrupani.in/en/ Official website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201434/http://164.100.24.167:8080/members/website/Mainweb.asp?mpcode=2008 Profile on Rajya Sabha website]