Oommen Chandy, a former chief minister of Kerala, died early on Tuesday at the age of 79, prompting a flood of tributes on Twitter and other social media sites. At 4:25 am, Chandy, a well-known Congressman, passed away from cancer while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
The Kerala government has proclaimed Tuesday a public holiday along with two days of mourning in recognition of his enormous contributions to the state.
Political Leaders Pay Tribute to Oommen Chandy
Leaders from all political parties offered their condolences for Oommen Chandy’s passing. Senior members of the Congress, such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, and Shashi Tharoor, used Twitter to express their sincere condolences.
KC Venugopal, the general secretary of the Congress, also paid his tributes at the Chinmaya Mission Hospital in Bengaluru, where the former chief minister died away.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Condolences
The former chief minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, passed away, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his sorrow. PM Modi recalled Chandy as a modest and committed leader who dedicated his life to public service and fought relentlessly for Kerala’s development in a tweet on Tuesday.
He remembered his encounters with Chandy both personally and professionally, both while they served as the respective states’ chief ministers and afterwards in Delhi. PM Modi expressed his condolences to Chandy’s family and supporters at this difficult time and asked God to grant the deceased’s soul eternal peace.
A Remarkable Journey of Service
Born in Puthupally, Kottayam, on October 31, 1943, Oommen Chandy began his political career as a member of the Kerala Students Union (KSU). He led KSU as president from 1967 to 1969, displaying his early leadership abilities.
Chandy’s place in the political system was further cemented in 1970 when he was chosen to lead the State Youth Congress.
The longest-serving member of the Kerala Assembly, he has continually represented the Puthuppally seat in the State Assembly since 1970.
Chandy held the position twice, from 2004 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2016. He also served as the opposition leader between these two administrations, from 2006 to 2011.
Key Ministerial Positions and Contributions
Oommen Chandy served a number of ministerial roles during his political career, displaying his broad skill set and commitment to public service. Notably, he held the position of Labor Minister in the first A.K. Antony Cabinet (1977–78) and the first K. Karunakaran Cabinet (1977–77).
He became leadership of the Home division during the 1981–1982 term of the second Karunakaran Cabinet. Chandy furthered his knowledge of fiscal issues during his tenure as Finance Minister in the fourth Karunakaran Cabinet from 1991 to 1994.
Chandy was Kerala’s fourth-longest-serving Chief Minister thanks to his excellent 2,459-day stint in that position.
Only three people held the rank for longer than E.K. Nayanar (4,009), K. Karunakaran (3,246), and C. Achutha Menon (2,640). Only K.M. Mani and Chandy, out of the 970 lawmakers who have served in the Kerala Assembly since the state’s founding, have served a remarkable 50 years as MLAs.
The Family Left Behind
Maria Oommen, Achu Oommen, and Chandy Oommen, Chandy’s spouse and children, all outlive him. His demise leaves a sizable hole in Kerala’s political scene as well as a legacy that will be cherished for years to come.
Honoring the Memory of Oommen Chandy
The Kerala government has declared Tuesday to be a holiday in honor of the former Chief Minister. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recognized Chandy’s qualities as a leader and his deep commitment to the welfare of the people.
On his Facebook page, opposition leader V D Satheesan expressed his sorrow over Chandy’s passing and emphasized how he was a source of comfort and hope for Keralites all over the globe. The state bids a remarkable leader goodbye while honoring his priceless contributions to Kerala’s development and its people.