Oommen Chandy was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 10th Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was also Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2011. He represented Puthuppally constituency as MLA in the State Assembly from 1970 until his death in 2023. He is the longest served MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the only Indian Chief Minister to achieve award for public service from the United Nations.
Chandy was born on October 31, 1943, in Kumarakom, Kerala. He studied law at the Government Law College, Ernakulam, and then began his career as a lawyer. He entered politics in the early 1970s, and was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1970. He served as Minister for Home Affairs, Education, and Industries in the A. K. Antony government from 1977 to 1979.
Chandy became Chief Minister of Kerala for the first time in 2004. During his first term, he focused on improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure in the state. He also introduced a number of social welfare schemes, such as the Kudumbashree program, which aimed to empower women through self-help groups.
Chandy was re-elected as Chief Minister in 2011. During his second term, he continued to focus on social welfare and development. He also played a key role in the rebuilding of Kerala after the 2018 floods.
Chandy died on July 18, 2023, at the age of 79. He was a popular and respected leader, and his death was mourned by people across Kerala.