How Did Rahul Gandhi's Tribute to Oommen Chandy Spark CPI(M)'s Outrage?

Thiruvananthapuram, July 19 (NationPress) Two years after his passing, the legacy of Oommen Chandy continues to loom large over the political landscape of Kerala -- particularly affecting the ruling CPI(M).

During a heartfelt address commemorating Chandy’s second death anniversary on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stirred unease within the Left, which has been confidently anticipating Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s re-election in the upcoming 2026 Assembly polls.

As numerous speakers offered glowing remembrances at the tribute event, it was senior Congress figure and long-time MLA K.C. Joseph -- a close associate of Chandy -- who made a particularly impactful statement.

“Chandy, though no longer with us, will wield more influence than he did in life,” Joseph asserted.

Reflecting on the overwhelming public turnout during the 30-hour funeral procession from Thiruvananthapuram to Puthuppally two years prior, Joseph recounted, “I was in the hearse. The sheer volume of people lining the streets to pay their respects was unprecedented. It was evident to me that Chandy would eternally reside in the hearts of the populace.”

Joseph, who held the position of Culture Minister in Chandy’s cabinet from 2011 to 2016, remarked, “Many came to truly appreciate his essence only after he departed.”

However, it was the sharp commentary from Rahul Gandhi that truly unsettled the CPI(M). Without mentioning any specific incidents, Rahul accused the CPI(M) of orchestrating a malicious and defamatory campaign against Chandy -- an implied reference to the solar scam controversy, which the Left repeatedly used to target Chandy and the UDF in the 2016 and 2021 elections.

In a provocative comparison, Rahul grouped the RSS and CPI(M) together, asserting that neither grasped the concept of empathy -- a trait Chandy exemplified.

Even though Chandy was cleared by the courts, the extended legal and political struggles reportedly took a toll on his health.

“The thousands who stood in line for hours to bid him farewell is a testament to the fact that he was pursued and victimized by the CPI(M), yet remained fair and dignified,” Joseph stated.

Clearly shaken by the repercussions of Rahul’s address, the CPI(M) reacted quickly. Senior leader and politburo member M.A. Baby criticized the Congress MP, while journalist-turned-Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, a close associate of CM Vijayan, launched a direct attack on social media.

“Congress appears intent on keeping Rahul Gandhi politically naive,” Brittas remarked, adding, “He and his sister engage in so-called full-frontal assaults on the RSS from the safety of Wayanad, the stronghold of their ally IUML -- no risks, all benefits.”

Brittas further accused the Congress of historical hypocrisy, referencing its involvement in “unlocking the gates of Babri Masjid, overseeing its demolition, and fostering the leadership ranks of the BJP.”

In a final jibe, he noted, “Ironically, much of what Rahul knows about the RSS might have been conveyed by our late leader, Sitaram Yechury.”

As political tensions escalate and the 2026 elections approach, it is evident that the memory of Oommen Chandy -- and the manner in which his legacy is referenced -- remains a powerful element within Kerala’s political arena.