Assembly pays tribute to Oommen Chandy and Vakkom Purushothaman

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ninth session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly began yesterday with tributes paid to the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and former Assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman. Speaker AN Shamseer, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and various party leaders delivered memorial speeches. Yesterday's meeting ended after an hour and forty minutes of funeral service.

Chief Minister pointed out that with the departure of Oommen Chandy, an important chapter in Kerala politics has ended. Vakkom's political career spanning seven and a half decades is a great lesson for public servants. Many of Oommen Chandy's characteristics will survive forever. Never losing 12 elections in the same constituency, remaining a member of the legislature for 53 years, these are unique in the world parliamentary history.

Pinarayi recalled that Vakkom Purushothaman, who gained fame and reputation as a lawyer, gave value to public service. Vakkom's life was moving along with the political history of modern Kerala.

The place Vakkom occupies a unique position among the anti-imperialist movements. Vakkom Purushothaman has played a leadership role at many levels of the democratic process. He has been a member of the houses of representatives from Panchayat to Parliament. The Chief Minister said that many important departments like Finance, Health, Excise, Labour, Agriculture and Tourism were handled with importance by Vakkom as a minister.