Bengaluru: Oommen Chandy, a prominent senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, passed away at the age of 79. The news of his demise was confirmed by his family and the Kerala Congress president, K Sudhakaran, on Tuesday. Chandy had been battling health issues for some time and was undergoing treatment at a healthcare facility in Bengaluru.
Chandy's son, Chandy Oommen, shared the news of his father's passing through a Facebook post, which simply read, "Appa has passed away."
Known for his political acumen and charismatic leadership, Oommen Chandy had a remarkable political career. He served as the Chief Minister of Kerala twice, from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016.
Throughout his tenure, Chandy was admired for his dedication to public service and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
The Congress party, both at the state and national levels, expressed profound grief over the loss of their beloved leader. The official Twitter handle of the Congress in Kerala tweeted, "Extremely sad to bid farewell to our most beloved leader and former CM Shri Oommen Chandy. One of the most popular and dynamic leaders of Kerala, Chandy sir was loved across generations and sections of the population. The Congress family will miss his leadership and energy."
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who shared a long-standing political journey with Chandy, expressed deep sorrow over his demise. Vijayan acknowledged Chandy's capabilities as an administrator and his unwavering commitment to serving the people. The Chief Minister reminisced about Oommen Chandy's exceptional administrative skills and his connection with the lives of the people.
Political leaders from across party barriers also conveyed their condolences. Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muralidharan described Chandy as a mild-mannered and progressive leader, whose working style served as a guiding principle for many. K. Surendran, the BJP State President, lauded Chandy's contributions to the development of Kerala and his empathetic approach towards addressing people's issues.
Oommen Chandy's political journey began in 1970 when he won the state assembly elections at the age of 27. He went on to win 11 consecutive polls, becoming the longest-serving member of the state assembly in 2022. Representing his home constituency of Puthuppally, Chandy dedicated himself to public service and served as a minister four times in various cabinets. Additionally, he held the position of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly on four occasions.