The first day of the ninth session of the Kerala legislative assembly was adjourned on Monday after speaker AN Shamseer, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other legislators paid tributes to former CM Oommen Chandy and Congress veteran Vakkom Purushothaman, both of whom died last month.
CM Vijayan recalled the time Chandy and himself had entered the assembly together in 1970.
”To be elected continuously from the same constituency for over five decades, to never face defeat and to have such a long term in the assembly, these are rare even in global parliamentary records. While other Congress leaders like AK Antony and K Karunakaran have been elected to Parliament, for Oommen Chandy, the Kerala assembly was close to his heart. He remained here till his death. There is no bigger evidence than this of his love for Kerala and its people,” said Vijayan.
Also Read:Oommen Chandy: A people’s leader, colossus of Kerala politics
LoP VD Satheesan said Chandy dedicated his life to public service and stood out from the rest for his humility and benevolence towards those who came to him for help.
“I don’t think there is any political leader who has travelled so much through Kerala as him. He often ignored food and slept very little in his bid to be among the public. The love he showed for Kerala was returned 100 times over by the people when he died,” said Satheesan.
{{/usCountry}}“I don’t think there is any political leader who has travelled so much through Kerala as him. He often ignored food and slept very little in his bid to be among the public. The love he showed for Kerala was returned 100 times over by the people when he died,” said Satheesan.
{{/usCountry}}Vijayan also paid tributes to Purushothaman, veteran Congress leader and held the record of being twice speaker of the Kerala assembly .
“Purushothaman held leadership positions in all levels of democracy. He was a member of councils from panchayat to Parliament. In all such councils, he made significant contributions. He was able to go into the crowds and work among the people. That’s why he was able to become MLA from Attingal five times, become a minister three times and twice the Speaker of this Assembly,” the CM said.
The assembly will reconvene on Tuesday for legislative business and conclude on August 23.