Gujarat’s political atmosphere has turned tense after it emerged that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not cover the funeral expenses of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, leaving his family to settle bills estimated between ₹20–25 lakh. State BJP President and Union Minister C. R. Patil declined to respond directly when questioned about the matter in Rajkot, intensifying speculation of divisions within the party’s Saurashtra leadership.
Vijay Rupani passed away on 12 June in a tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad. His funeral with state honours took place four days later in Rajkot, drawing large crowds and senior BJP figures including Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Arrangements involved flowers, tents, a guard of honour, and a large procession.
While suppliers provided the ceremonial infrastructure and arrangements, the family discovered in July that vendors were approaching them directly for payment. The BJP, sources say, distanced itself and instructed suppliers to collect the dues from Rupani’s family.
Patil was in Rajkot for a ‘Namotsav’ event when reporters pressed him about the issue. He was quoted as saying the matter would be addressed later, but did not deny the allegations. Local leaders also avoided or declined to engage with the controversy.
Party insiders suggest the move to shift the funeral expenses might reflect a power struggle between rival factions in Saurashtra. Two prominent regional leaders are believed to have influenced the decision to not absorb the costs. Rather than stemming from a single directive at the top, the dispute may implicate intra-party disagreements.
For Rupani’s family, the matter has been deeply distressing. They say they had no prior information about the financial responsibility and feel the treatment from the party contradicts the dignity accorded publicly during the funeral. Some payments have been made; however, traders say portions of the dues still remain unpaid.
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