Kerala News Highlights: Former Chief Minister of Kerala and veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy passed away on Tuesday (July 18) in Bengaluru. He was 79.
9.15 PM: The Kottayam district collector has announced that schools will be closed on Wednesday afternoon. Due to the funeral procession for Oommen Chandy, there will be traffic limitations in the town.
9.10 pm: Senior Congress leader AK Antony burst into tears in front of the mortal remains of Oommen Chandy.
9.05 pm: Due to the overwhelming crowd, two of Durbar Hall's doors were briefly shut.
9.02 pm: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived at Durbar Hall and paid tributes to Chandy
9.00 pm: Oommen Chandy's mortal remains brought to Durbar Hall at 7 pm; Hundreds of supporters gather to pay last respect
3.38 PM: Mortal remains of Oommen Chandy is 5 km away from Puthupally House in Jagathy
3.04 PM: Huge crowd of supporters raise slogans to bid adieu to Oommen Chandy
The ambulance carrying the body of former CM Oommen Chandy is now heading to Puthuppally's house from Thiruvananthapuram airport. A large crowd of supporters have arrived to see their late leader for the last time. The ambulance has reached Shangumukham.
2.46 PM: Mortal remains of Oommen Chandy arrives in Thiruvananthapuram
The air ambulance carrying the mortal remains of veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy has arrived in Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru.
2.40 PM: Kerala State Film Awards 2022 postponed following Oommen Chandy's demise
The announcement of Kerala State Film Awards 2022 winners has been postponed to Friday (July 21) following the demise of former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy. The announcement of the winners was scheduled to be held on Wednesday (July 19).
1.44 PM: Mortal remains of Oommen Chandy to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram soon
Another special flight to fly Congress leaders from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram airport.
1.12 PM: Kerala Opposition leader VD Satheesan expresses grief following demise of Oommen Chandy
Kerala's Opposition leader V D Satheesan tweeted, "Most respected and loved #OmmenChandy sir, former Chief Minister of Kerala, passed away early this morning. Pranaamam to the leader who has found a special place in people's heart. We will miss you forever. Rest in peace."
12.57 PM: Hindu Aikyavedi mourns passing away of Oommen Chandy
Hindu Aikyavedi expressed deep sorrow on the death of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. "He was a very popular political leader. Mr. Oommen Chandy was the Chief Minister who responded sympathetically to the issues raised by Hindu organizations and was willing to hold talks to resolve the issues many times." Hindu Aikyavedi conveyed their condolences to family members and party workers.
12.15 PM: Deeply pained by the demise of former Kerala CM Shri Oommen Chandy ji. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family: Akhilesh Yadav
12.12 PM: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal expresses grief over passing away of Congress veteran Oommen Chandy
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal mourned over the demise of former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy. He tweeted, "Saddened to hear about the passing of former Kerala CM Shri Oommen Chandy Ji. His contributions to public service and his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace."
12.09 PM: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan condoles over demise of former CM Oommen Chandy
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan expressed sorrow over the demise of former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy. In a message, he said," I am profoundly grieved by the sad demise of Shri Oommen Chandy, former Chief Minister and a people’s leader nonpareil, with a record 53 years as Legislator from the same constituency Puthuppally. This showed the trust and confidence people had in his leadership. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the people who loved him. At this hour of mourning, we may remember the divine assurance: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted". May his soul rest in eternal peace”
11.25 AM: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expresses grief over the demise of Oommen Chandy
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed anguish over the demise of veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy. He said, "It is a great loss to our country and particularly, to Kerala. (He was) a great leader and he served in Congress party for long...He was a very honest party leader. Today we lost him, I am very sad. It is such a huge loss..."
11.04 AM: BJP Kerala president K Surendran condoled the passing away of Oommen Chandy
BJP state president K Surendran condoled the demise of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday and said that the Congress veteran is an administrator who has made a unique contribution to the development of Kerala. He said that Chandy always lived and worked for the people. "We are deeply saddened by his demise as a leader who intervened in people's problems beyond party politics," said Surendran.
10.56 AM: Senior Congress leaders arrive at former Minister T John's house to pay last respects to Oommen Chandy
Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Mallikarjun Kharge, and party president Rahul Gandhi arrive at the Bengaluru home of former Karnataka Minister T John to pay their condolences to Oommen Chandy.
10.29 AM: Rahul Gandhi mourns demise of Oommen Chandy
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mourned the demise of Oommen Chandy on Tuesday. Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, "Oommen Chandy ji was an exemplary grassroots Congress leader. He will be remembered for his lifelong service to the people of Kerala. We will miss him dearly. Much love and condolences to all his loved ones."
10.23 AM: Congress to observe week-long mourning over demise of former CM Oommen Chandy
KPCC president K Sudhakaran MP announced a week-long mourning period following the demise of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. All public programs of KPCC and Congress subsidiary organizations and cells, including the public meeting scheduled to be held in Kozhikode on the 22nd of this month, have been postponed for a week (July 24). He added that Oommen Chandy's commemoration programs should be held at the district, block, constituency, booth and CUC levels during this week.
9.53 AM: 'We have lost a humble and dedicated leader...' PM Modi mourns Ommen Chandy's demise
9.25 AM: Oommen Chandy death: University exams postponed; PSC exams to be held as scheduled
Following the announcement of a public holiday over the demise of former CM of Kerala Oommen Chandy, several Universities have postponed the examinations that were to be held today. Calicut University, Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, CUSAT and Kannur University have postponed the exams. However, there will be no change in the PSC exam schedule.
9.20 AM: Oommen Chandy was the most efficient administrator: IUML leader E.T. Muhammed Basheer
Indian Union Muslim League leader E. T. Muhammed Basheer condoled the demise of Oommen Chandy. He said. " Oommen Chandy was the most efficient administrator. His demise is a loss to the entire political system. I have worked under him. He was the most capable minister. He dedicated his life to the people."
9.12 AM: Kerala declares holiday for banks over Oommen Chandy's demise
As a gesture of respect for former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who passed away in Bengaluru, the Kerala government has declared a holiday for banks on Tuesday.
9.04 AM: Former CM Oommen Chandy's mortal remains to be brought to Kerala today
The mortal remains of late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will be brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru today afternoon by a specially charted flight. The mortal remains will be kept for public viewing in the Durbar Hall. The funeral will be held on Thursday (July 20).
