Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy, who served as the Chief Minister of Kerala twice, died in Bengaluru in the early hours of July 18. The 79-year-old leader who always stood out in his trademark white cotton shirt and dhoti worn usually with a cordial smile, breathed his last in a private hospital in Bengaluru at 4.25 a.m. Chandy was undergoing treatment in Bengaluru for the past few months.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of various States and leaders of political parties expressed their grief and conveyed their condolences on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. People of Kerala led by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and political leaders across party affiliations, in the State also mourned his passing.
Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan, various LDF Ministers and Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, were among the political leaders from Kerala who condoled Chandy’s demise. Social media overflowed with condolence messages from people from all walks of life including film personalities and religious leaders.
Here are the reactions by leaders across all parties:
Mortal remains of Chandy brought to Thiruvananthapuram
The mortal remains of Oommen Chandy were brought to Thiruvananthapuram in the afternoon where a massive crowd of party leaders, workers and supporters gathered at the airport to pay their last respects.
The remains would be kept at various places including Durbar hall of the State Secretariat, St. George Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, the KPCC headquarters and his residence in the State capital for the public to pay their last respects.
On Wednesday his body would be transported by road to Chandy’s hometown of Puthuppally in Kottayam district of the State. The funeral would be held there on Thursday. - PTI
‘Chandy gave first preference to people’
Condoling the demise of Oommen Chandy, Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal said he was someone who gave first preference to people, listened to the issues of the common person and tried to solve them from their midst.
“I have always had a close relationship with him. As someone with great foresight and willpower, and was dutiful, Kerala always kept him close to its heart. He is leaving this world after gifting this land many achievements and progress. Painfully, my condolences,” he posted.
Chandy played key role in Kerala’s development: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the demise of veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and said he played a vital role in the development and democratisation of public life in his State.
Chandy was a great statesman: Stalin
Palaniswami, Panneerselvam recall Chandy’s contributions
The AIADMK’s general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and former coordinator, O. Panneerselvam, in separate messages, condoled the death of Kerala’s former Chief Minister Oomen Chandy and recalled his contributions in the field of politics.
Country loses eminent personality: Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu condoled the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and said his impact on the national political space will always be remembered.
Chandy worked tirelessly to uplift people: Himanta
Veteran Congress leader and former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy dedicated himself to the betterment of society and worked tirelessly to uplift the people of his State, said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Assam Chief Minister, who was in the Congress for a long time and served as a Minister in the three-terms of former CM Tarun Gogoi, said Chandy’s humility endeared him to the masses.
I have a family life thanks to Oommen Chandy: A.K. Antony
Veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony turned emotional on July 18 as he received the news about the demise of Oommen Chandy who stood by him like a rock during the turbulence in the tough political waters of Kerala since the days of their student politics six decades ago. Fondly remembering former Kerala Chief Minister Chandy, the former Defence Minister of the country recalled his influence on his personal life as well.
“It is because of him that I have a family life,” Mr. Antony, who is also a former Chief Minister, told reporters outside his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. He revealed that he succumbed to the pressure from Chandy and his wife to start a family life.
“I was unmarried till the age of 45 years with no intention of tying the knot. But, Chandy and his wife kept insisting, compelling me to get married and finally, I succumbed to their wishes. His wife is the one who found my life partner and our registered marriage was at his home. So it is because of him that I have a family life,” a grief-stricken Mr. Antony recalled. - PTI
A leader who journeyed through Congress party’s worst and best in Kerala
A homegrown politician, Oommen Chandy’s six-decade long political career has been inextricably linked to the ups and downs of his party in Kerala’s bipolar political ecosystem.
Kerala Assembly’s longest serving MLA and a true-blue Congress worker, the former Chief Minister passed away in Bengaluru on a day his party’s entire top brass had gathered in the city for an opposition unity session.
The 79-year old leader who always stood out in his trademark white cotton shirt and dhoti worn usually with a cordial smile, breathed his last in a private hospital in Bengaluru early this morning. Chandy was undergoing treatment in Bengaluru for the past few months.
Ever since he cut his political teeth as an activist of the Congress’ campus outfit, Kerala Students Union (KSU), Chandy had remained a key player in state politics till he breathed his last. - PTI
Chandy’s demise a ‘great loss’ to the country, Kerala and the Congress party: Kharge
“It’s a big loss to the country and also to the state of Kerala. Oommen Chandy was a great leader. He had served the party for long. He was a good administrator, good Chief Minister and a good party organiser. Today we lost him. I am very sad. It’s a great loss to the party,” said Congress president M. Mallikarjun Kharge.
Chandy was a true leader of the people of Kerala: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said, “Oommen Chandy represented the spirit of Kerala and India. He was the true leader of the people of Kerala. We will miss him. We loved him very much and we remember him fondly. My condolences to his family and everybody who loved him.”
Veteran Congress leader ‘left an indelible mark’: Kerala Governor
“His administration was remarkably sensitive to common weal and the people had ready access to him. His leadership was marked by empathy and compassion. He was one of the finest public servants produced by Kerala, who was proud of India and his Indianness. Right from his young days when he started taking interest in public affairs, he always stood for harmony and peace and resolution of conflicts in a democratic and amicable manner. He was a role model and I am confident, his life would be a great source of inspiration particularly to our young people who aspire to be in public life,” said Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
Chandy was a people’s leader nonpareil: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, in his condolence message, said that Oommen Chandy was a people’s leader nonpareil, with a record 53 years as Legislator from the same constituency. “This showed the trust and confidence people had in his leadership,” he said.
Karnataka CM paid homage
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D.K. Shivakumar visited a house in Indiranagar, where former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy’s mortal remains were kept, to pay their last respects.
Kharge hails Oommen Chandy as visionary leader
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the former Kerala chief minister, with his unwavering commitment and visionary leadership, has left an indelible mark on the State’s progress and the nation’s politics.
Congress mourns Oommen Chandy’s death
Karnataka CM pays last respects to Oommen Chandy in Bengaluru
Tributes flowed in from national leadership
More tributes pour in
Kerala High Court to remain shut on Tuesday
As the Kerala Government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday to mourn the passing of Oommen Chandy, the Kerala High Court will remain shut in the event of the demise.
Oommen Chandy will be remembered for his lifelong service in Kerala: Rahul Gandhi
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Oomen Chandy 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,” he tweeted.
Lost a humble and dedicated leader: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned the demise of former Kerala chief minister and praised the leader for devoting his life to public service.
“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 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,” ‘he tweeted.
Chandy managed to keep friendship beyond party politics: CPIM State Secretary
CPIM State Secretary M.V. Govindan expressed his respect and praised the Late Congress veteran for keeping friendship beyond party politics.
“Former Kerala Chief Minister, senior Congress Leader and MLA of Puthupally constituency entered Kerala politics through student movement. He always managed to keep friendship beyond party politics and was someone who left his own personal mark on governance and politics. With Oommen Chandy’s passing, it is a political stream that symbolised Congress for more than five decades that has ceased to exist,” he said.
Two-day mourning declared in State
The government has also declared two days of State mourning from Tuesday onwards. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings throughout the State during the period.
Oommen Chandy was truly a leader of masses: Jairam Ramesh
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that Oommen Chandy was a truly mass leader, and an extraordinary personality of great simplicity and unfailing courtesy.
In a tweet, he called him a 24×7 politician giving everything he had to the welfare of his constituents and of the people of Kerala. “His tenure as CM was notable for many achievements that were widely lauded and recognised by the UN as well,” he said.
All institutions under purview of Negotiable Instruments Act to remain shut
All the State government offices in Kerala, educational institutions including professional colleges and all institutions which are coming under the purview of Negotiable Instruments Act will remain closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect for former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who passed away earlier today.
Chandy’s life will remain a text book for students of politics: Kerala Speaker
Kerala Assembly Speaker A. N. Shamseer said that Oommen Chandy’s life will remain a text book for students of politics and public servants alike. “All his political life has been in the midst of people, from whom he drew his strength,” he said.
Huge void in Kerala’s political sphere: Venugopal
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal said that Oommen Chandy has been the pillar of strength for Kerala for a long time. “His departure will leave a huge void in Kerala’s political sphere. It is hard to come to terms with the loss,” said Mr.Venugopal.
Funeral at Puthuppally Church on Thursday
The procession is expected to reach Kottayam by evening, where the mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at the Thirunakkara Maithanam. The funeral will be at the Puthuppally Church on Thursday at 2 p.m.
Mortal remains to reach Congress’ state headquarters today evening
The mortal remains will then be taken to the St. George Orthodox Syrian Cathedral at Palayam and by evening to the Indira Bhavan, the Congress’ state headquarters. On Wednesday at 7 a.m., the funeral cortege will begin its journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Kottayam.
Mortal remains to be brought to Thiruvananthapuram by 2 p.m.
The mortal remains of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who passed away in Bengaluru on Tuesday, will be brought to Thiruvananthapuram in an air ambulance by 2 p.m. Addressing a press conference, Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan said that the body will be first taken to ‘Puthuppally House’, his residence in the capital, and later for public viewing at the Durbar Hall in the Secretariat.
Pillar of the Congress party: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Calling Oommen Chandy a “pillar” of the Congress party, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the party would miss “his wise counsel”.
Oommen Chandy’s visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Kerala’s progress: Kharge
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his respect for the departed leader. “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,” he tweeted.
Kerala lost a popular and shining leader: V. D. Satheesan
Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan said Kerala lost a popular and shining leader in Mr. Chandy’s passing. “The people felt they owned Mr. Chandy, and he always upheld their trust”, he said.
Kerala to observe a two-day mourning
Meanwhile, the Kerala Government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday to mourn his passing. The State will observe a two-day mourning. Kerala and Calicut universities have postponed examinations scheduled for the day.
Oommen Chandy was a close friend: A.K. Antony
Congress veteran and former Chief Minister A.K. Antony termed Chandy’s passing as irreplaceable personal loss. “He persuaded me to marry and have a family. Mr. Chandy was a close friend. He would never forsake those who sought his services and ensure that petitioners never returned empty-handed”, Mr. Antony said.
Oommen Chandy was a role model: Ramesh Chennithala
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said Oomen Chandy presided over a golden era in Congress politics in Kerala. He was a role model for those who followed him in his footsteps.
Loss of a dynamic, energetic people’s representative: Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor, MP, mourned the passing away of Oommen Chandy. The Thiruvananthapuram, MP, tweeted:” Sadly, it was not to be. The news of @Oommen_Chandy’s passing leaves millions bereft. My heart goes out to his family at this inexpressibly sad time. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti”.
Loss of a legend, says Kerala Congress President
Kerala Congress President K. Sudhakaran condoled the death of the former Kerala Chief Minister.
“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,” Mr. Sudhakaran tweeted.
Chandy was closely involved in people’s lives, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan
In his response to former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s demise, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Oommen Chandy was a capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people’s lives.”
Mr. Vijayan shared that both Chandy and him were elected to the Legislative Assembly in the same year and had come to politics during the same time through student life.
“We 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,” the Kerala Chief Minister said.
