Oommen Chandy, a former governor of Kerala, dies at age 79

 The former chief minister of Kerala passed away, according to a Facebook post by his son Chandy Oommen.

On March 10, 2019, Oommen Chandy, a senior member of the Indian National Congress party, was in Kochi.

Oommen Chandy, a former chief minister, is no longer with us. He was 79.

Early on July 18, the senior Congress leader, who was receiving cancer treatment, passed away in a hospital in Bengaluru.

The news was revealed via a Facebook post from his son Chandy Oommen.

Chandy served as Kerala's Chief Minister twice. He was a long-serving lawmaker from the Puthupally constituency in the Kottayam district.

From August 31, 2004, to May 12, 2006, and from May 18, 2011, to May 20, 2016, he served as the minister for Kerala under the leadership of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

In 1977, under the K. Karunakaran Government, Chandy held the position of Minister of Labor. In the next cabinet, under the leadership of A.K. Antony, he retained the same position. From December 1981 until March 1982, he served as the K. Karunakaran administration's home minister. In the UDF ministry in 1991, he additionally handled the Finance portfolio.

On October 30, 1943, Chandy was born to Karottu Vallakalil K.V. Chandy and Baby Chandy. Chandy got involved in politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Young Congress. In 1965, he was named State general secretary of the KSU, and in 1967, he was made its State. He attended St. George High School in Kottayam for his education. Moreover, Chandy graduated from the Government Law College in Thiruvananthapuram, the SB College in Changanassery, and the CMS College in Kottayam.

In addition to being engaged in the INTUC, the Congress-backed trade union, he was elected president of the Youth Congress in 1970.

In 1970, he won his first election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

During the years 1982–1986 and 2001–2004, he served as the UDF's convener. After A.K. Antony's resignation in 2004, Chandy was appointed Chief Minister. 2011 saw his second election as CM. From 2006 until 2011, he also served as opposition leader.

He served as the Puthupally constituency's representative for more than 50 years.

Politically adept, Chandy had played a key role in the inner-party 'group' maneuvering within the state branch of Congress. He enjoyed a great deal of public support. To address the issues the public was experiencing during his tenure as Chief Minister, he created the "Mass Contact" initiative.

At the time, he was the AICC's general secretary as well.

Chandy leaves behind his wife Mariamma Oommen, as well as their three children, Achu, Maria, and Chandy.

Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister, and V.D. Satheesan, the leader of the opposition, expressed their condolences.