Following the death of former Kerala Chief Minister and seasoned Congressman Oommen Chandy in Bengaluru on Tuesday, condolences flooded in from political figures.
In a Facebook post, Chandy’s son announced his father’s demise, stating, “Appa has passed away.” The 79-year-old leader had been undergoing treatment at a health facility in Bengaluru. While Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge remembered Omen Chandy as a leader who stood tall as a leader of the masses, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he was one of the Chief Ministers responsible for placing Kerala at the top of the Human Development Index.
“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,” Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.
Congress general secretary 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.”
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said, “The news of Oommen Chandy’s death, who was very dear to me, was shocking. Oommen Chandy was also one of the Chief Ministers responsible for placing the state of Kerala at the top of Human Development Index. He was the chief minister of Kerala state twice.”
“He served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2016. As General Secretary of AICC, Governor, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly, he continuously strived to protect the aspirations and values of the Constitution and effectively carried forward the legacy of struggle politics,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also expressed grief over the development and said, “Saddened to hear about the passing of Sh. Oomen Chandy, former CM of Kerala. Heartfelt condolences to his family and his colleagues. May his soul rest in peace.”
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran recalled Oommen Chandy as a leader who “touched the lives of countless individuals”.
“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,” Sudhakaran tweeted.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled the time he and Chandy first entered politics and praised the former for being “a capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people’s lives.”
“In the same year, we both won seats in the Legislative Assembly. We first became politically prominent through student life at the same time. It is quite difficult to say goodbye to him because we both lived public lives at the same time. Oommen Chandy was a competent administrator and a person who took an active interest in other people’s lives, according to Vijayan.