Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy passed away in Bengaluru on Tuesday. In a Facebook post, Chandy's son announced his father's demise, stating, "Appa has passed away." The 79-year-old leader had been undergoing treatment at a health facility in Bengaluru for an extended period as he had been unwell. Oommen Chandy had served as the Chief Minister of Kerala on two separate occasions. Chandy had set the record for the longest-serving MLA in Kerala. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has declared a two-day State mourning following the demise of the former CM.


Reacting to his demise Kerala Congress tweeted, "We mourn the loss of former Kerala CM and Congress stalwart Shri Oommen Chandy. He was a champion of development, democracy and secularism."


Remembering the time when he and Chandy came to politics, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the former was a 'capable administrator and a person who was closely involved in people's lives', as per ANI.


 "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," Vijayan was quoted as saying by ANI.


Reacting to the demise of the veteran leader, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted, "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."






Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "Deepest condolences to the family of Shri. Oommen Chandy. He was a pillar of the Congress party, a leader who dedicated his life to service and was deeply committed to the values we are fighting for today. We will all remember him with great respect and miss his wise counsel."






Reacting to his demise Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and said that the country has lost a humble and dedicated leader.


"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," the Prime Minister tweeted.






Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also expressed grief over the development and said, "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."






Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N. K. Premachandran condoles the demise of senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy. Terming the demise as a 'big loss', he said, "...The basic concept of Oommen Chandy in his public activities & political activities is to help the poor and marginalised sections of society. He was always with the people, for the people and among the people...As the CM of Kerala, he did innovative works in the field of development...It is a big loss - not only for Kerala or Congress but entire humanity..."






Congress MLA and former Kerala LoP Ramesh Chennithala said, "He was termed as people's leader. His long association with the people of Kerala is well remembered...He was always with the people. His contribution to Kerala is commendable. People of Kerala and India will always remember his contribution to the nation..." 


Meanwhile, people took to Twitter to share their pain and grief over the death of the veteran leader. Noting that Chandy had received a UN award for public service, a user said, "Disheartened to hear about the demise of Veteran Congress Leader,longest serving MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the only Indian Chief Minister to achieve an award for public service from United Nations Oomen Chandy Ji. May his soul rest in peace 🙏






Another referred to the demise of the senior leader as "End of an era in Kerala politics". "Now finally the Solar case can rest too
RIP Oomen Chandy," he said.