Chandy Oommen, Son of Late Oommen Chandy, Voices Discontent with Party's Treatment
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Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 10 (NationPress) Chandy Oommen, a first-time Congress legislator and the son of the late two-time Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, has shared his disappointment concerning the treatment he has received from the party leadership.
Commenting on the recent Palakkad Assembly bypoll, Chandy Oommen remarked, "While responsibilities were assigned to others for the campaign, I found myself without any role within the party."
"Although I chose not to speak out previously, I prefer to keep my comments brief even now. My presence in Palakkad was limited to just one day. The leadership should ensure inclusivity and unity among all members; it is their responsibility," he expressed.
In light of ongoing discussions regarding potential changes in the party hierarchy, Oommen dismissed the need to replace the current state party president, K. Sudhakaran. "There is no necessity for such discussions. What is essential is the involvement of more young members during the party's reorganization. The leadership must focus on unity," he stated.
The Congress party in Kerala is currently buzzing with speculations about a generational shift, as calls increase for the 76-year-old state party president, K. Sudhakaran, to resign. Sudhakaran, representing the CPI(M) stronghold of Kannur in the Lok Sabha, has dismissed these rumors. "This is merely being discussed on TV; no such initiative exists," Sudhakaran commented on Monday.
Chandy Oommen ran for and won his late father's long-held Assembly seat, which Oommen Chandy represented continuously from 1970 to 2023, achieving the record of the longest-serving legislator in the state.
Following the passing of Oommen Chandy, the Congress leadership unanimously chose to nominate Chandy Oommen as his successor. The 37-year-old achieved a remarkable victory, winning by over 37,000 votes last year.
In contrast to his father, Chandy Oommen has adopted a more reserved demeanor since assuming office, dedicating time to his constituency, which remains filled with cherished memories of his father.
Even over a year after Oommen Chandy's death, individuals continue to visit his tomb daily, located within a special memorial at his home parish adjacent to his residence, to pay their respects.
