Oommen Chandy, Former Kerala CM And Senior Congress Leader, Passes Away At 79

Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran condoled the death of the former Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy.

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy passed away in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday following a prolonged illness. Chandy's son posted on Facebook, "Appa has passed away." Oommen Chandy was undergoing treatment for cancer in Bengaluru. The Congress veteran was Chief Minister of Kerala twice, from 2004 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2016. 

Last year, he got the honour of being the longest-serving member of the Kerala Assembly by representing his home constituency of Puthuppally for 18,728 days. He broke the record of Kerala Congress (M) leader Late K.M. Mani as Chandy completed more than 51 years and three months as an MLA on August 2, 2022. Chandy began his career as an MLA by winning the 1970 Assembly elections. He was just 27 years old at that time. The senior Congress leader won 11 back-to-back assembly elections since then. While he was CM of Kerala twice, Chandy also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly for four terms.

Reacting to Chandy's demise, PM Narendra Modi said that the Kerala leader devoted his life to public service. "In the passing away of Oommen Chandy Ji, we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala. I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states, and later when I moved to Delhi. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sorrowful hour. May his soul rest in peace," said PM Modi.

In the passing away of Shri Oommen Chandy Ji, we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala. I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our… pic.twitter.com/S6rd22T24j — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 18, 2023

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Oomen Chandy stood tall as the leader of the masses. "My humble tribute to the stalwart Oommen Chandy, Former Kerala Chief Minister and a staunch Congress man who stood tall as a leader of the masses. His unwavering commitment and visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Kerala's progress and the nation's political landscape. He will be remembered for his dedication and service to the people. Heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters," he said in a tweet.

My humble tribute to the stalwart Oommen Chandy, Former Kerala Chief Minister and a staunch Congress man who stood tall as a leader of the masses. His unwavering commitment and visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Kerala's progress and the nation's political landscape.… — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 18, 2023

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expresses his sadness on the demise of the senior leader. CM Vijayan said that Chandy was a capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people's lives. "Oommen Chandy was a capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people's lives." The Kerala CM also shared that both Chandy and him were elected to the Legislative Assembly in the same year. "It was at the same stage that we came to the political fore through student life. we led public life at the same time and its extremely difficult to bid him farewell," said Vijayan.

Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran condoled the death of Chandy. "The tale of the king who triumphed over the world with the power of 'love' finds its poignant end. Today, I am deeply saddened by the loss of a legend, @Oommen_Chandy. He touched the lives of countless individuals, and his legacy will forever resonate within our souls," Sudhakaran tweeted. 

The tale of the king who triumphed over the world with the power of 'love' finds its poignant end.

Today, I am deeply saddened by the loss of a legend, @Oommen_Chandy. He touched the lives of countless individuals, and his legacy will forever resonate within our souls. RIP! pic.twitter.com/72hdK6EN4u — K Sudhakaran (@SudhakaranINC) July 18, 2023

Kerala Congress said in a tweet, "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."