PM Modi condoles ex-Kerala CM Oommen Chandy's demise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the passing away of veteran Congress leader and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, and said "we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala".

Chandy, who served as the chief minister of Kerala twice, passed away in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said. He was 79.

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In a tweet, Modi said, "I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states, and later when I moved to Delhi. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sorrowful hour. May his soul rest in peace".

പൊതുസേവനത്തിനായി ജീവിതം ഉഴിഞ്ഞുവെക്കുകയും കേരളത്തിന്റെ പുരോഗതിക്കായി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത എളിമയും, അർപ്പണബോധമുള്ള നേതാവിനെയാണ് ശ്രീ ഉമ്മൻ ചാണ്ടി ജിയുടെ വിയോഗത്തിലൂടെ നമുക്ക് നഷ്ടമായത്. ഞങ്ങൾ രണ്ടുപേരും അതത് സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലെ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിമാരായി സേവനമനുഷ്ഠിച്ചപ്പോഴും പിന്നീട് ഞാൻ… pic.twitter.com/EorQ5L2c5x

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 18, 2023

The death of the former Kerala chief minister was announced by his son, Chandy Oommen, in a Facebook post.

The Kerala government has announced Tuesday as a public holiday and two-day mourning as a mark of respect for the former chief minister.