India's Kerala state government on Tuesday declared a public holiday along with two days of mourning after the death of former State Chief and senior Congress politician Oommen Chandy.
The leader passed away at 4:25 a.m. (IST) in a private hospital in the Bengaluru city of Karnataka where he was undergoing treatment for cancer.
The news about the death of the senior Congress politician was shared by his son Chandy Oommen through a social media post where he wrote “Appa has passed away”. Appa means father in the Tamil language.
Oommen Chandy, the deceased leader, is survived by his wife Mariamma and children Maria Oommen, Chandy Oommen and Achu Oommen.
As part of the two-day mourning, all government offices and educational institutions, including professional colleges, will remain closed in the state.
Soon after the former State Chief's passing, leaders from across the political spectrum expressed their sorrow over the news.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, current Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other prominent politicians paid tribute to Oommen Chandy.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “In the passing away of Shri Oommen Chandy Ji, we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala. I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states, and later when I moved to Delhi. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sorrowful hour. May his soul rest in peace.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Paid Tribute to Oommen Chandy
© Photo : Twitter/@narendramodi
“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,” wrote Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge while paying tribute to the veteran party politician.
Referring to Oommen Chandy as a pillar of the Congress party, Priyanka Gadhi Vadra also expressed her sorrow over his passing and said that he would be remembered with great respect.
Meanwhile, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi while paying tribute to the ex-State Chief of Kerala said he was an exemplary grassroots party leader.
“He will be remembered for his lifelong service to the people of Kerala. We will miss him dearly. Much love and condolences to all his loved ones,” he said in his tweet.
Rahul Gandhi Pays Tribute to Former State Chief of Kerala Oommen Chandy
© Photo : Twitter/@RahulGandhi
Besides Congress politicians, Indian Union Muslim League leader E. T. Muhammed Basheer also took to social media to bid farewell to Oommen Chandy, calling the veteran politician's death a loss for the entire political system.
“He was the most efficient administrator and his main quality was compassion...I have worked under him. He was the most capable minister. He dedicated his life to the people...You cannot compare Oommen Chandy with anybody. This is a loss for the entire political system,” he said.
Kerala State Chief Pinarayi Vijayan also bid his farewell to the senior Congress politician as he said: “We were elected to the Legislative Assembly in the same year. It was at the same stage that we came to the political fore through student life. We led public life at the same time, and it is extremely difficult to bid him farewell. Oommen Chandy was a capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people's lives.”
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala State Assembly V. D. Satheesan while addressing the media said that Oommen Chandy's remains will be brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon and the funeral services will be held at Puthuppally church near Kottayam on Thursday afternoon.
He further said that the body will be kept at the state secretariat's Durbar Hall for the public to pay tribute, after which the remains will be taken to the St. George Cathedral near the secretariat where he used to pray.
“Later, the body will be kept at Indira Bhavan, for the party workers to pay homage,” Satheesan said, adding that from there "the body will be taken in a procession to Puthuppally on Wednesday morning. [...] We have made arrangements at the Thirunakkara Ground in Kottayam for the public to pay homage. In the evening, the body will be taken to his house at Puthuppally,” Satheesan said.