Oommen Chandy was a titan of Kerala politics. He served as the 10th Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was also the longest-serving MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, with a term spanning over 50 years.
Chandy was born in Puthuppally, Kottayam district, Kerala, on October 31, 1943. He studied law at the University of Kerala and then went on to practice law in Kottayam. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1970, representing the Puthuppally constituency.
Chandy quickly rose through the ranks of the Indian National Congress (INC) party. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001. In 2004, he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala for the first time.
As Chief Minister, Chandy focused on improving the state’s infrastructure and economy. He also introduced a number of social welfare schemes, such as the Kudumbashree project, which has helped to empower women in Kerala.
One of Chandy’s most notable achievements as Chief Minister was the construction of the Kochi Metro. The Kochi Metro is a rapid transit system that has helped to reduce traffic congestion in Kochi. It is also a major tourist attraction and has helped to boost the economy of the city.
Chandy also played a key role in resolving the Mullaperiyar dam dispute with Tamil Nadu. The Mullaperiyar dam is a dam on the Periyar River that straddles the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The dam had been the subject of a long-standing dispute between the two states, but Chandy was able to reach a compromise that was acceptable to both sides.
Chandy resigned as Chief Minister in 2016. He was succeeded by Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Chandy continued to be active in politics after his resignation. He served as the General Secretary of the INC from 2017 to 2021.
Chandy died on July 18, 2023, at the age of 79. He was a towering figure in Kerala politics and his legacy will be remembered for many years to come.
Here are some of Oommen Chandy’s other contributions to Kerala:
- He oversaw the construction of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
- He introduced the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, which has helped to improve the infrastructure of urban areas in Kerala.
- He launched the Haritha Keralam project, which aims to make Kerala a green state.
- He was a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and helped to introduce a number of policies that have benefited women in Kerala.
Oommen Chandy was a respected and popular leader who made a significant contribution to Kerala. His legacy will be remembered for many years to come.
In addition to the above, Chandy was also a skilled orator and a popular figure among the people of Kerala. He was known for his wit and his ability to connect with people on a personal level. He was also a devout Hindu and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
Chandy’s death was a major loss for Kerala. He was a true statesman who dedicated his life to serving the people of his state. His legacy will live on for many years to come.