Former Kerala CM and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy dies at 79

BENGALURU: Oommen Chandy (79), a two-time Chief Minister of Kerala, passed away at a hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday morning. A Congressman Chandy was undergoing treatment for cancer at a hospital in Bengaluru since February this year.

Chandy served as Chief Minister of Kerala twice. He first served as the CM from 2004 to 2006 and his other term as CM was from 2011 to 2016. He was elected from Puthuppally Assembly seat  from 1970.

The mortal remains of Oomen Chandy was kept at the residence of former minister T John’s residence where leaders paid their condolences which included former president of All India Congress Committee Sonia Gandhi, former president of AICC Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, president of AICC Mallikarjun Kharge among others.

In his post on a social networking site, Rahul Gandhi termed Oomen Chandy as an exemplary grassroots Congress leader. He will be remembered for his service to the people of Kerala. We will miss him dearly. Much love and condolences to all his beloved ones.

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge stated “His unwavering commitment and visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Kerala’s progress and the nation’s political landscape.” Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Chandy is the only Indian to be conferred with an award for public service by the United Nations.