Bengaluru: Former Kerala Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Oommen Chandy died in a hospital in Bengaluru on July 18, 2023 morning. He was 79. He served twice as the state Chief-Minister from 2011 to 2016, and from 2004 to 2006.

The death of Chandy, who had been undergoing treatment for cancer since 2019, was announced by his son, Congress leader Chandy Oommen, in a Facebook post at 4.30 am on July 18, 2023.The Kerala Government has declared a two-day mourning and public holiday in the state.

In Bengaluru, where the Congress leadership was present for Opposition Leaders Meet, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, and former President Shri Rahul Gandhi and several leaders paid last respects to former Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy.

The mortal remains of the former Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy will be flown to Thiruvananthapuram, where his body will be kept at the Indira Bhavan and later at the Darbar hall of the Secretariat for people to pay their homage. His funeral was held on July 20, 2023, at Puthuppally in Kottayam.

The Kerala government declared two-day state mourning and a public holiday on account of former CM Chandy’s demise. Chandy’s demise has led to a downpour of wishes from leaders across the political spectrum.

In a condolence letter by former Prime Minister Dr. Mamohan Singh to Smt. Mariamma Oommen, he said, “He was a leader of high esteem who was respected by everybody irrespective of party lines. He was a mass leader and distinguished administrator who devoted his whole life for the service of the people. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the Indian National Congress and the State of Kerala”.

In a tweet message by the Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, he said, “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.”

In a tweet message by the former Congress President Shri Rahul Gandhi, he said “Oommen Chandy ji was an exemplary grassroots Congress leader. He will be remembered for his lifelong service to the people of Kerala. We will miss him dearly. Much love and condolences to all his loved ones.”

In a tweet message, AICC General Secretary Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said “Deepest condolences to the family of Shri. Oommen Chandy. He was a pillar of the Congress Party, a leader who dedicated his life to service and was deeply committed to the values we are fighting for today. We will all remember him with great respect and miss his wise counsel.”

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 said in a tweet.

One of the popular political leaders in Kerala and a crowd puller, Chandy served as the state’s Chief Minister from 2011 to 2016, and from 2004 to 2006. He had also served as the Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly from 2006 to 2011.

Chandy, known as a mass leader who loved to live among the people, was the longest-serving legislator in the Kerala Assembly. He had represented the Puthuppally Assembly constituency from 1970 successively until his death, a rare feat in state politics. In the Assembly election held in 1970, Chandy was elected from Puthuppally at the age of 27.

When Chandy won the Assembly elections of 2021, it was his 12th consecutive win from the same seat. Chandy had also served four Congress cabinets, under the veteran leaders K. Karunakaran and A K Antony, handling the portfolios of labour, finance, and home.

Chandy, the mainstay of Congress politics in Central Kerala, was born on October 31, 1943, in Puthuppally, which later emerged as his political fiefdom. He was initiated into politics through the Kerala Students Union, the students’ wing of Congress. A graduate in law, Chandy went on to become a prominent leader of Youth Congress in Kerala and rose as its State President in 1969. During his second stint as the Kerala Chief Minister, Chandy had launched a mass contact programme to meet people and hear their grievances and ensure relief to them. His programme was widely lauded as a unique democratic experiment in which the Chief Minister of a state met thousands of people directly without any intermediaries. The programme received the United Nations Global Award for Public Service in 2013.

He is survived by his wife Mariamma and children Maria Oommen, Chandy Oommen, and Achu Oommen.