R Krishna Das
For the people of Puthuppally, who returned him to the Assembly unfailingly 12 times since 1970, he was the beloved ‘Kunjoonju’ whose role was not confined to politics only.
The former Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy breathed his last at the age of 79 at a Bengaluru hospital early morning on Tuesday. The veteran Congress leader had been battling cancer. He is survived by wife Mariamma, children Achu Oommen, Chandy Oommen, Maria Oommen, and grandchildren.
A quintessential man of the masses, Oommen Chandy was people’s leader in Kerala; standing by their side in the hour of need. And when former Kerala Chief Minister and Union Minister A K Anthony was looking for a life partner, it was OC—as he went for cadres and admirers in the Congress party—who took the initiative.
While paying tributes, Anthony broke down in tears and recalled his long association, recounting how Oommen Chandy and his wife Mariamma connected Antony to his wife Elizabeth. “He and his wife Mariamma Oommen are the reason for my family life. She was the one who found my wife,” he said.
In an interview along with his wife Mariamma and children, Oommen Chandy had once recollected how he arranged Antony’s marriage. Mariamma recalled, “I was close with Elizabeth [Antony’s wife] since long back. She worked in the same bank as I, and used to often visit our home. Elizabeth had been receiving several marriage proposals then. That is when Kunju [Oommen Chandy] asked if an alliance with Antony should be considered, after one of his Delhi trips. I quickly asked Elizabeth — she wasn’t in favour of the proposal at first, given that he is a politician. They have a good family life now.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to pay tributes and 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.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar paid their tributes to Oommen Chandy.
Chandy had been staying at the residence of former Karnataka Minister T John, where his mortal remains was placed for people to pay their respects. The funeral will be held at the Puthuppally church at 2 pm on Thursday.
