NEW DELHI: Congress MP and former Union minister Shashi Tharoor has posted moving tributes on the passing away of former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy. His tributes are a reflection of his attachment with the party’s senior colleague who is no more.
Tharoor is a Lok Sabha MP from Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram.
Chandy, whom Tharoor called “OC Chettan” passed away in a Bengaluru hospital on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. He was 79 and was suffering from cancer. Chandy twice served as the CM of Kerala – first in 2004 and second time in 2011.
Chandy was an MLA for 12 consecutive times since 1970 and was popular for using public transport for campaigning.
Tharoor on Tuesday re-posted on Twitter a video clip in which he is seen with Chandy during a roadshow for the 2021 Kerala assembly election. Posted on March 29, 2021, Tharoor had said then, “A pleasure and privilege to conduct a roadshow for K Babu alongside veteran @inckerala leader @oommenchandy. The public adulation for him is widespread, persistent and palpable. #UDFforKerala”
Tagging the old tweet, Tharoor said, “In grief today at the loss of this dynamic, energetic people’s representative. Little did I realise this would be one of my last public engagements with him. #OommenChandyRIP”
Tharoor also reposted a photograph October 31, 2022, on Chandy’s birthday saying, “Wishing my much respected senior colleague Shri @Oommen_Chandy ji a wonderful 79th birthday on October 31 – a birth date he shares with the immortal Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.”
Tagging the old post, the Congress MP said, “On his last birthday. Can’t believe I won’t be wishing him again. #OommenChandyRIP”
Tharoor had paid a visit to Chandy in hospital on April 10, “Paid a visit to the hospital where my respected senior colleague and former Kerala chief minister @OommenChandy is being treated. Spoke a few words to him and spent time with his brave and loving family, who are in full-time attendance. All of Kerala prays for his complete recovery.”
Tharoor condoled Chandy’s death, saying, “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.”
He went on to pay rich tributes to Chandy. “‘Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.’ ~ Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. My immediate and heartfelt tribute to @Oommen_Chandy, whom i fondly called ‘OC Chettan’.”
