Former Kerala Chief Minister Oomman Chandy Passes Away at 80
Bengaluru, Karnataka: Former Chief Minister of Kerala, Oomman Chandy, passed away in Bengaluru on the 18th at 4.25 am due to ill health. The 80-year-old senior Kerala state Congress leader had served as the Chief Minister of Kerala for two terms, from 2004 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2016. Oomman Chandy’s political career spanned over five decades, winning 12 terms in the Pudupally assembly constituency of Kottayam district in Kerala. He holds the distinction of being the only political leader in India to have been a member of the Legislative Assembly for such a long period.
The news of Oomman Chandy’s demise has sent shockwaves through the political circles in Kerala and beyond. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin paid his respect to Chandy’s body in Bengaluru, laying a floral wreath. Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge also paid tearful tributes to the former Chief Minister. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with former Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, paid their respects in person.
The body of Oomman Chandy was then brought back to Kerala from Bengaluru and kept at the Congress party office in Thiruvananthapuram for the last rites. Supporters and members of the public gathered there to pay their respects. Later, the body was taken to Pudupally, Chandy’s native town in Kottayam district. Despite heavy rainfall, people lined up along the road to pay their final respects. The funeral procession lasted for about 30 hours, with lakhs of people coming to bid farewell to the beloved leader.
Several prominent personalities, including former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, attended the funeral and paid their last respects. As per Chandy’s wishes, his body was cremated last night without state honors in the church graveyard in Pudupally.
Oomman Chandy’s passing marks the end of an era in Kerala politics. Known for his long and illustrious career, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. His contributions to the state and the Congress party have been immense, and his absence will be deeply felt. May his soul rest in peace.