Indian Times Express

Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Passes Away at 79, Mourned by Political Leaders

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Former Chief Minister of Kerala and veteran Congress leader, Oommen Chandy, breathed his last at the age of 79. The sad news was confirmed by his family as well as the Kerala Congress president, K Sudhakaran, on Tuesday. Chandy, who had served as the Chief Minister of Kerala twice, passed away in Bengaluru during the early hours of the day while undergoing treatment at a health facility.

The announcement of his demise was made by his son, Chandy Oommen, through a heartfelt Facebook post simply stating, “Appa has passed away.” The news of Chandy’s deteriorating health had been a concern for some time, prompting his stay in Bengaluru for medical treatment. The Congress Kerala expressed their deep sorrow at the loss of their beloved leader, describing Chandy as one of the most popular and dynamic figures in Kerala.

They acknowledged his wide-ranging appeal across different generations and sections of the population. The Congress family mourned the absence of his leadership and infectious energy, recognizing the void left by his departure. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed profound grief over Chandy’s passing. He shared a personal connection with the late leader, having been elected to the Legislative Assembly in the same year and embarked on their political journeys together. Vijayan paid tribute to Chandy’s capabilities as an administrator and his close engagement with the lives of the people.

Chandy’s political career was marked by significant achievements and long-standing service to the state. He served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. His political journey commenced at the young age of 27 when he won the state assembly elections in 1970. Remarkably, he went on to win 11 consecutive elections, representing his home constituency of Puthuppally throughout his five-decade-long tenure. In 2022, Chandy achieved the distinction of being the longest-serving member of the state assembly, having represented Puthupally for an impressive 18,728 days.

This record surpassed that of the late KM Mani, former Kerala Congress (M) supremo. Over the course of his career, Chandy held ministerial positions on four occasions and served as the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly four times. The passing of Oommen Chandy marks the end of an era in Kerala’s political landscape. His contributions as a leader and his unwavering commitment to public service will be remembered by both his party and the people of Kerala. The void left by his demise will undoubtedly be deeply felt, as his dynamic presence and administrative prowess leave an indelible imprint on the state’s political history.

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