Rahul Gandhi said he aspires to mould leaders like Oommen Chandy — leaders who feel for people, who serve silently and sincerely.
Published Jul 18, 2025 | 10:55 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2025 | 11:50 AM
Rahul Gandhi addressed the gathering at the Oommen Chandy Smriti Sangamam held at St. George Orthodox Church in Puthuppally, Kottayam.
Synopsis: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi inaugurated the Oommen Chandy Memorial Conference in Puthuppally. He also inaugurated KPCC’s new charity initiative, Smrithitharangam, and handed over the keys of 12 houses constructed under the Oommen Chandy Foundation.
In a significant move aimed at reinforcing the Congress’s grassroots connect in Kerala ahead of crucial elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi inaugurated the Oommen Chandy Memorial Conference in Puthuppally in the Kottayam district on Friday, 18 July, marking the second death anniversary of the former chief minister.
Rahul Gandhi began the day by paying floral tributes at Oommen Chandy’s grave at St George’s Church in Puthuppally at 9 am. He arrived at Cochin International Airport on Thursday night and was welcomed by senior Congress leaders.
The state-level remembrance event, organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), was held at 10 am, where he also inaugurated KPCC’s new charity initiative, Smrithitharangam, and handed over the keys of 12 houses constructed under the Oommen Chandy Foundation.
Rahul Gandhi said Chandy was one of the masters of this politics of feeling. “I saw first-hand how he ruined himself — sacrificed himself — for the people of Kerala. He gave everything,” he said.
This memorial gathering, while a tribute to the much-loved Congress stalwart, also doubles as a strategic mobilisation effort by the Congress in Kerala.
With the local body elections approaching and the 2026 Assembly polls looming, the party is keen to leverage Oommen Chandy’s enduring popularity—particularly in central Kerala and among Christian and minority communities—at a time when it faces stiff competition from both the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the BJP’s expanding base.
Chandy’s image as a people’s leader with unmatched accessibility and focus on welfare continues to resonate with the electorate.
Congress insiders see the memorial conference, led by national figures like Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Deepadas Munshi, as a timely reminder of the leadership Kerala once received under Chandy’s tenure.
Rahul Gandhi said Oommen Chandy wasn’t just a political leader — he was an expression of Kerala itself.
“I’ve been in politics since 2004. I may not have vast experience, but I do have some. And with that experience, I’d like to share a few thoughts about Indian politics. When I first entered politics, I used to see different types of politicians — some who spoke very convincingly, others who thought deeply about issues. Most were some balance of both speaking and thinking,” he said.
“Someone can speak well, someone can plan for their own future — but emotion, empathy, feeling — that comes from within. True politics isn’t about what you say. It’s about what you feel. And to truly feel what others are going through, you must curb your greed, your aggression. You have to quieten your ego.”
“Keralites might not fully grasp the extent of his character — because many may not have seen him from inside, the way we did. His actions weren’t just political. They came from a deep, emotional place. Oommen Chandy wasn’t just a political leader — he was an expression of Kerala itself,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi said he aspires to mould leaders like Chandy — leaders who feel for people, who serve silently and sincerely.
“I learned so much from him. He faced brutal, criminal attacks — and not once did I hear him speak with anger. He remained humble, balanced, always focused on people,” he said.
“Take, for example, the cochlear implant programme he launched. How many votes did that bring in? Not many. But he didn’t care — because he wanted every child to have the ability to hear. That decision came from a politics rooted in feeling — in empathy. This is what the CPI(M) and the RSS/BJP lack. They lack this politics of feeling.”
“A guru is not just a teacher. A teacher gives you information. A guru shows you direction. Oommen Chandy is my guru. Not just mine — but a guru for many. You may deliver powerful speeches, you may win elections — but if you don’t feel for people, it’s all meaningless. There are only a handful in Indian politics who practise this politics of emotion, empathy, and sacrifice. Oommen Chandy was one of them. And we need more like him,” he added.
KPCC President Sunny Joseph, who chaired the memorial meeting, said the event will reflect the party’s renewed commitment to welfare-driven politics.
Joseph said, “Oommen Chandy was a political leader who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people. The tribute that people paid when his mortal remains were brought from Thiruvananthapuram and Puthupally has become part of the history. The very act shows how deeply he touched the hearts of people.”
“Various developmental projects, including the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, were materialised because of Oommen Chandy’s visionary leadership. His absence continues to leave a deep void in Kerala’s public sphere,” he added.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennitha said Chandy is still alive in people’s hearts, and his memories will strengthen the party’s leadership.
Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, Congress Working Committee members, religious leaders, and senior party functionaries attended the meeting.
Satheesan said, “There may not be a single Keralite who didn’t want to remember Oommen Chandy.”
Venugopal said, “Transcending political affiliations and religious boundaries, Oommen Chandy is still being remembered He recalled an instance when he was part of the Chandy Cabinet during the tsunami days.
“Within one hour of the disaster, Oommen Chandy rushed to Alappuzha. It has to be noted that he was way away from Alappuzha. He spearheaded the relief measures then and convened daily Cabinet meetings to overrule any red tapism involved in disbursing the relief assistance,” he said
According to the KPCC, it will kick-start the second phase launch of Shruthitharangam, a flagship hearing aid programme launched by Chandy during his tenure as chief minister. The charity programme Smruthitharangam will be rolled out through Mandalam Congress Committees.
In addition to the main event in Puthuppally, District Congress Committees (DCCs) have been tasked with organising local commemorations and charitable drives.
After the Puthuppally event, Rahul Gandhi will travel to Thiruvananthapuram to meet senior Congress leader AK Antony before flying back to Delhi, in what is being seen as both a symbolic and strategic visit by the national leader to rally the party around the memory of one of its tallest Kerala leaders.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
