'Visionary leader': Congress mourns former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy's death

The Congress on Tuesday mourned the demise of its veteran leader Oommen Chandy with party president Mallikarjun Kharge saying that the former Kerala chief minister with his unwavering commitment and visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the states progress and the nations politics reported PTIChandy died in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday his family said He was 79Deeply saddened by the passing of former Kerala chief minister and esteemed Congress leader Oommen Chandy the Congress said on Twitter A stalwart in politics his contributions to Keralas progress and development will always be remembered A true statesman he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time May his soul rest in eternal peace it saidParty president Kharge condoled Chandys demise and paid tributes to the leader saying he was a staunch Congressman who stood tall as a leader of the massesHis unwavering commitment and visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Keralas progress and the nations political landscape He will be remembered for his dedication and service to the people Heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters he tweeted Congress general secretary incharge communications Jairam Ramesh said Chandy was an extraordinary personality and a true mass leader A man of great simplicity and unfailing courtesy he was a 24times7 politician giving everything he had to the welfare of his constituents and of the people of Kerala he saidRamesh said Chandys tenure as chief minister was notable for many achievements that were widely lauded and recognised by the United Nations as well I was privileged to have known him for years and still recall our joint visits to various settlements in Attappadi 10 years agoIn a tweet the Congress Kerala unit said Extremely sad to bid farewell to our most beloved leader and former chief minister Shri Oommen Chandy One of the most popular and dynamic leaders of Kerala Chandy sir was loved across generations and sections of the populationThe Congress family will miss his leadership and energy it said The partys Kerala unit chief K Sudhakaran also condoled the passing away of Chandy and said The tale of the king who triumphed over the world with the power of love finds its poignant endToday I am deeply saddened by the loss of a legend Oommen Chandy He touched the lives of countless individuals and his legacy will forever resonate within our souls RIP he saidTagging his tweet a few months ago in which he had talked about visiting Chaney in hospital and wished for his complete recovery senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor said Sadly it was not to be The news of Oommen Chandys passing leaves millions bereft My heart goes out to his family at this inexpressibly sad time May his soul rest in peace Om ShantiIndian Youth Congress condoled Chandys demise and tweeted We mourn the loss of former Kerala CM and Congress stalwart Shri Oommen Chandy He was a champion of development democracy and secularismHe inspired generations of young leaders with his dedication and charisma We pray for his soul and his bereaved family the youth wing of the party saidThe death of the former Kerala chief minister was announced by his son Chandy Oommen in a Facebook post Appa has passed away he wrote without elaboratingChandy who had not been keeping well for quite some time had been staying in Bengaluru for treatment at a health facilityPTI