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Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy, who served as the chief minister of Kerala twice, died in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said.
The death of the former Kerala chief minister was announced by his son, Chandy Oommen, in a Facebook post.
“Appa has passed away”, Oommen wrote on his Facebook page, without elaborating.
The Kerala government has announced Tuesday as a public holiday and two days’ mourning as a mark of respect to the late former chief minister.
He was the chief minister twice for a total of seven years (2004–2006 and again from 2011–2016).
Chandy had also served as Minister of Labour, Home, and Finance in various governments headed by K Karunakaran and A K Antony. He also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.
Representing Puthuppally constituency, Chandy served as the MLA for more than half a century setting the record for the longest tenure.
As soon as Chandy’s passing away came leaders across the political spectrum paid their rich tributes on Twitter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
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… pic.twitter.com/S6rd22T24j
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 18, 2023
M Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
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.…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 18, 2023
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP
“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” ~ Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore
Om Shanti!#OommenChandyRIP pic.twitter.com/R5ac1mRBFY
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 18, 2023
In grief today at the loss of this dynamic, energetic people’s representative. Little did I realise this would be one of my last public engagements with him. #OommenChandyRIP https://t.co/G7BCpz1w9G
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 18, 2023
Rahul Gandhi, Former Congress president
Oommen Chandy ji was an exemplary grassroots Congress 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. pic.twitter.com/QL8pGJrXwW
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2023
Pinarayi Vijayan , Chief Minister Kerala
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. pic.twitter.com/kYgivnkwJ5
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) July 18, 2023
P Chidambaram, Senior Congress Leader
Deeply saddened by the passing away of Oomen Chandy, veteran Congress leader and former CM of Kerala
A valiant soldier of the Congress since his student days, Oomen Chandy embodied Kerala’s spirit of secularism, fraternity and social justice
May his soul rest in peace.…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 18, 2023
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister West Bengal
Deeply saddened at the demise of respected Oommen Chandy, former chief minister of Kerala and elder statesman of our times. The veteran Congress leader had played vital role in Kerala ‘s development and democratisation of public life. I offer my sincere condolences to the…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 18, 2023
Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress General Secretary
A legend is no more.
The sagacious wisdom, the life of simplicity, the indomitable dedication to people & party described former Kerala CM & Sr. Congress leader, Sh. Oommen Chandy.
His demise has left an unfillable void in the political spectrum. My heartfelt homage to the… pic.twitter.com/vEctIC40ZC
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 18, 2023
Priyanka Chaturvedi, UBT Leader, Rajya Sabha MP
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.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) July 18, 2023
