Rahul Gandhi asks Congress workers to emulate model set by former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has called on the party leaders and members to emulate the legacy of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in addressing the needs of the people.

Inaugurating a public meeting held as part of the second death anniversary of Oommen Chandy at Puthuppally in Kottayam district of Kerala on Friday (July 18, 2025), Mr. Gandhi expressed his aspiration to cultivate more leaders such as the former Chief Minister and told the leaders to “touch the feelings of the people to become a leader.”

“If you do not feel for the people or are not able to connect with them or hug them, you may not be a leader. The real tragedy in Indian politics is that very few people care for others, listen to them or touch them. Oommen Chandy was one of the masters of political feeling I have come across in my political life,” he said.

He also recounted that Oommen Chandy faced “brutal and unfair political attacks” during his life. “He endured criminal assaults and non-stop lies were spread against him. Yet, I have never heard him respond with anger. Oommen Chandy is indeed a special person in Kerala politics,” he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a public meeting held as part of the second death anniversary of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at Puthuppally in Kottayam district of Kerala on Friday (July 18, 2025)
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Mr. Gandhi also described Oommen Chandy as a master for him and many other politicians in Kerala. “In many ways, Oommen Chandy has been a guru for me and many people in Kerala. He showed us the direction, not through mere words or theories, but through his actions. I look forward to many young people in Kerala following in his footsteps and embracing the tradition of politics of Kerala,” he said.

He also highlighted Oommen Chandy’s initiative, Sruthi Tharangam project, which was launched “not for electoral gain, but to ensure that every single child in Kerala should be able to hear.”

Earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi paid his respects at Oommen Chandy’s tomb at St. George Orthodox Church at Puthuppally by offering floral tributes and lit a candle.

Later, he also handed over the keys of 12 houses built by the Oommen Chandy foundation to the beneficiaries and also launched the KPCC’s charitable initiative in memory of Oommen Chandy, titled Smrithi Tharangam.

UDF leaders, heads of various religious and community organisations, including AICC general secretaries K.C. Venugopal, Deepa Das Munshi, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, supreme head of Orthodox Church, and others were among those present at the event.