On Tuesday, former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 79. His death was announced by his son Chandy Oommen through a facebook post. The facebook post read, Appa has passed away. The Kerala government has announced a public holiday for schools and government institutions on Tuesday as a mark of respect to the leader.
Speaking to the media, Opposition leader V D Satheesan asserted that the mortal remains of Oommen Chandy would be brought to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday afternoon. His body will be kept for public homage in the state capital for the entire day. On Wednesday, his body would be taken to his native Kottayam on Wednesday. At Kottayam, his body would be kept for public homage for the entire Wednesday.
According to reports, his burial will take place on Thursday. The departed leader was Kerala Chief Minister for seven years in two terms. He also held home and finance portfolios and was the Opposition leader. The youth Congress took to Twitter and expressed that they mourn the loss of former Kerala CM and Congress stalwart Shri Oommen Chandy. It added that the former Chief Minister was a champion of development, democracy and secularism.
Expressing his grief over the death of former CM, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled that they were elected to the legislative assembly in the same year. He narrated that it was in the same stage that they came to the political fore through student life, He added that they led public life at the same time and it is extremely difficult to bid him goodbye. The Chief Minister further hailed that OOMmen Chandy was a capable administrator and a person who was closely associated with the people’s life.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the death of the former chief minister and paid tribute to him. He expressed that Oommen Chandy was a staunch Congress man who stood tall as a leader of the masses. He continued that Oommen Chandy’s unwavering commitment and visionary leadership left an indelible mark on the state’s progress and nation’s political landscape.
Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran tweeted that the tale of the King who triumphed over the world with the power of love finds its poignant end. He expressed that he is deeply saddened by the loss of the legend. He mentioned that the former CM touched the lives of countless individuals and that his legacy will resonate forever within their souls.