Oommen Chandy, a consummate politician who defined the cutting edge of politics by his life and example. A politician who had time even for the last person in the queue.
A grassroots politician who had his feet firmly planted in the ground without ambitions for national politics. He served as Kerala Chief Minister twice from 2004 to 2006 and 2011 to 2016. His life and concern for his people were amply demonstrated by the electorate electing him as their Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly from his home constituency Puthupally in Kottayam district for 53 long years without interruption.
He was an approachable person without any put on airs. No wonder, on his last journey from this world, the mammoth crowd cutting across politics, religion or community present with expressions of sadness only demonstrates the immense respect and love they had for him.
He was more of a common man’s politician, cutting across religion, caste or class. He had a heart for every person. He had a keen ear for people’s problems. He had a deep concern for the genuine development of the state.
Born four years before India’s independence and died at the age of 80 on 18 July 2023, People’s Kunjoonj, as they fondly called him, Chandy lived his Christian ideal of service by reaching out to the last person in society.
It will be hard to find a politician of his ilk in political firmament.
Chandy leaves us the message: Make politics a service, not a business proposition. Be a politician with a human touch.
Long live Oomman Chandy!
