Oommen Chandy bids adieu Thiruvananthapuram; his remains taken to Kottayam


PTI, Jul 19, 2023, 9:01 AM IST

Bidding adieu to the state capital, the mortal remains of former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy — who died in Bengaluru a day ago — was taken to Kottayam, the stronghold of the Congress stalwart, on Wednesday morning.

During his decades long political career, he had spent a major chunk of his life in the state capital as legislator, leader of the Congress party and a chief minister.

His body was taken to Kottayam by road in a specially modified low-floor bus covered in garlands and pictures of Chandy and packed with party leaders and workers.

The bus was sent off around 7.20 am from his residence here by a large number of party workers and supporters shouting slogans in support of the departed leader.

Teary eyed party workers also walked and jogged alongside the bus and many others walked in front of it.

People, with children in tow, were lined up at many places for a last glimpse of the veteran Congress leader as the bus moved through the state capital.

State Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan, who hails from Kottayam, also accompanied Chandy’s remains to his hometown.

Arrangements have been made at the Thirunakkara Ground in Kottayam for the public to pay homage to Chandy and thereafter, his body will be shifted to his home in nearby Puthuppally.

The funeral is scheduled to be held on Thursday at Puthuppally church.

Chandy had been representing the assembly constituency of Puthuppally, where he is affectionately called ‘Kunjukunju’ by the people, for the last 53 years and locals recall that the doors to his home were always open for anyone to walk in and discuss matters with him at any time of the day.

Chandy, who served as the Chief Minister of Kerala twice, breathed his last in a private hospital in Bengaluru at 4.25 AM. His end came while undergoing treatment for cancer, party sources said. He was 79.

After his body was brought to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, thousands turned up from across the southern state to catch a last glimpse of the Congress stalwart.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his Cabinet colleagues, leaders of various political parties as well as cultural and religious leaders paid homage to Chandy in the state capital on Tuesday.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial

100 engineering colleges in Karnataka to be ‘adopted’ by corporates by next year: IT Minister Kharge

Siddaramaiah defends BPL ration card cancellation, says only ineligible beneficiaries affected

China announces new policy measures to protect its exports from Trump’s new tariff threat

Renovated Medical Oncology OPD and Chemotherapy Day Care Centre inaugurated at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Related Articles More

Mumbai terror accused Rana approaches US Supreme Court to challenge extradition to India

Who will be next Maharashtra CM? Mahayuti, MVA constituents drop different names

PM Modi leaves for home after concluding three-nation visit

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kerala HC quashes FIR against Goa Guv over remarks on Sabarimala women entry

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

Kundapur: Several injured after insulator truck rams into Innova car on NH-66

Only ineligible BPL cards cancelled: Dinesh Gundu Rao

Fraudsters create fake FB profile misusing Udupi DC’s identity, case filed

Investigation begins into Naxal Encounter; Where did the others escape?

Mumbai terror accused Rana approaches US Supreme Court to challenge extradition to India

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.