Former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy has passed away at the age of 79. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran expressed condolences.
Former Chief Minister of Kerala and the senior congress leader Oommen Chandy has passed away on the early morning of tuesday July 18, 2023. He was 79.
He breathed his last at a Bengaluru hospital where he was being treated for cancer. His son Chandy Oommen has announced his death news through a facebook post.
“Appa has passed away,” Chandy Oommen wrote on his facebook page without elaborating.
Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran condoled the death of former Kerala CM. He tweeted, “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. RIP!”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed his condolences over the demise of Oommen Chandy.
“A historic chapter in Kerala politics came to an end with the demise of Oommen Chandy. His contributions to our state as an administrator, political leader & people’s representative have been exemplary. Joining the grief of family, friends & supporters. Condolences,” Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted.
The official twitter account of Congress Kerala wrote, “Extremely sad to bid farewell to our most beloved leader and former CM Shri. Oommen Chandy. One of the most popular and dynamic leaders of Kerala, Chandy sir was loved across generations and sections of the population. The Congress family will miss his leadership and energy.”
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Who was Oommen Chandy?
He became the CM of Kerala twice from 2004-2006 and 2011-2016. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1970. Chandy represented the Puthupally constituency in Kottayam district for over five decades.
Born to Karottu Vallakalil K.V. Chandy and Baby Chandy on October 30, 1943, did his schooling at St.George High School, Kottayam. He was also the alumnus of CMS College Kottayam, SB College Changanassery and the Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Chandy became active in politics since his college days through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Youth Congress. He was chosen as the State General Secretary of the KSU in 1965 and its state in 1967.
He became the President of the Youth Congress in 1970.
Oommen Chandy led the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) ministries in Kerala from August 31, 2004 to May 12, 2006 and from May 18, 2011 to May 20, 2016.
During his long political career, he served as Labour’s Minister in 1977 in the K.Karunakaran Ministry and in the ministry led by A.K. Antony. He also remained Home Minister in the K. Karunakaran cabinet from December 1981 to March 1982.
Oommen Chandy took over as Kerala CM in 2004 following the resignation of A.K. Antony. He became Chief Minister for the second time in 2011. During 2006-2011, he also remained the Leader of Opposition.
Chandy was the General Secretary of the AICC at present.
He is survived by his wife Mariamma Oommen, and children Achu Oommen, Maria Oommen and Chandy Oommen.
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