Oommen Chandy's Legacy Lives On: Puthuppally Gets New MLA But Connect With Ex-CM To Remain Intact

The Congress leader, Oommen Chandy, shares a deep connection with the Puthuppally constituency from where he had been elected as a legislator multiple times since the 1970s.

Chandy was fondly called as "Kunjunju" (little brother) by the residents of Puthuppally.

Source : Instagram/OommenChandy

"Remembrance is a verb, an action we must undertake daily…."

After death being remembered by scores of people is a privilege bestowed upon only a few. In the political circles, Oommen Chandy, former Chief Minister of Kerala, is among these privileged individuals. Oommen Chandy passed away after a battle with cancer on July 18. The news of the two-time Chief Minister's death was shared by his son and Congress leader Chandy Oommen who emerged as the winner of Puthupally bypolls on Friday. Although Puthuppally now has a new MLA, who is also Oommen Chandy's son, the people of Puthupally, who helped Oommen Chandy secure his position as an MLA, continue to cherish his memory.

The Congress leader also shares a deep connection with Puthuppally constituency from where he had been elected as a legislator ever since the 1970s. The people of Puthupally are so devoted to his memory that tour packages have even been organised for visiting his memorial.

Oommen Chandy And Puthuppally Constituency 

Oommen Chandy’s connection with Puthupally when he was alive is well-known among the people. Chandy won from the seat uninterrupted 12 times. He emerged victorious in 1970, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. He held the seat continuously without any pause for five long decades.

Chandy was fondly called as "Kunjunju" (little brother) by the residents of Puthuppally. Many also considered him to be a member of their family.

In the constituency, the funeral procession that took place for the leader will also be etched in history. The 150 km journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Puthupally, which should have taken three hours, turned into a 36-hour farewell procession due to a large number of supporters. Such is the adoration of the people for the deceased leader.

Grievances Submitted At Grave

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was laid to rest at the St. George Orthodox Church in Kottayam, Kerala, which has since developed into a kind of pilgrimage site. Hundreds of people continue to visit Oommen Chandy's cemetery in his former constituency of Puthuppally.

People from all over the state pay their respects to the late leader and many of them even leave requests in writing at his cemetery, just like they did at Chandy's office when he was alive, said a report on India Today.

Some people were seen writing about relief from their debt to property-related issues and even to pass their exams. People continue to share their grievances with the former CM even after his demise.

A tour agency even went a step higher to organise tour packages to Chandy's grave. In the first tour arranged by Viswasree Travel, around 51 persons visited the grave on August 5. The next trip is scheduled on Saturday, a day after the counting of results for Puthupally polls.

The influence of Oommen Chandy permeates not only the minds and hearts of the populace but also the choices they make on the political front.

Oommen Chandy: An Irreplaceable Factor In Puthuppally’s Politics

The Congress was confident that emotions would sway voters to vote in favour of Oommen Chandy's son Chandy Oommen, in the byelection that was necessitated due to the former CM’s demise. K Sudhakaran, the MP and president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) said, “Chandy's memories would be there in Kerala's political arena, during the bypolls as well, in the people's minds. His memories will sway the people's minds, Congress is confident of that," he said adding, therefore Chandy Oommen will win by a huge margin before the elections. 

As anticipated, Chandy Oommen won with a margin of 37,719 votes, surpassing his father's margin of 9,044 votes in the 2021 election.

With Chandy Oommen's victory, the legacy of Oommen Chandy is likely to endure, making his presence indispensable in the constituency.