Two-time Oommen Chandy, the chief minister of Kerala and a prominent member of the Congress, died early on Tuesday at a hospital in Bengaluru. He was 79 years old and battling cancer.
His son Chandy Oommen wrote on Facebook that the seasoned Congressman passed at about 5:15am. As the news of his passing spread, the Kerala government announced a holiday and the cancellation of exams for Tuesday.
Chandy, who was regarded as one of the most important Congress figures in Kerala, had a broad support base across all racial and religious groups. As cm, he was well-known for his “janasamparka paripadi (mass outreach programme)” where he engaged the populace and immediately addressed their issues. In 2013, he was honoured by the UN for his civic service.
Chandy, who has served in the Kerala parliament for the greatest amount of time—12 terms—was originally chosen as a representative from the Puthupally constituency in the Kottayam district in 1970. Up until his passing, he served as the seat’s representative.
In a Facebook post, Kerala’s chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his sympathies and said that a significant chapter in the state’s political history had come to an end. “On the same day in 1970, Oommen Chandy and I entered the Kerala Assembly. However, I have been active in public life outside of the Assembly for the most of those years. But Oommen Chandy continued to serve in the Assembly as usual. This is the best illustration of his connection to the people of Kerala. “In 1970, I and Oommen Chandy stepped into the Kerala Assembly on the same day. But for most of the years since, I have been in public life outside the Assembly. But Oommen Chandy remained as always in the Assembly. There is no bigger example than this for his bond with the Kerala public.”
The remains of the former chief minister would be flown from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram on a special aeroplane on Tuesday afternoon, according to Congress leader VD Satheesan. Before receiving public tribute at the Congress office, it will be brought to his home in the state capital.
Later, the body would be transported to his home in Puthupally and the Thirunakkara grounds in Kottayam. On Thursday, the funeral is set to begin at 2pm in the Puthupally church.
According to Satheesan, the former chief minister was receiving treatment for a protracted period of time, and they hoped he would recover and take charge once more. “His passing has plunged us into sorrow.”
