Oommen Chandy's family hands over election security deposit amount to UDF's Kottayam candidate Francis George

KOTTAYAM: Kottayam's UDF candidate Francis George received the security deposit money for the Lok Sabha election from Oommen Chandy's wife Mariamma Oommen in front of the tomb of the demised leader at Puthupally church on Monday.

"We are doing what our father would have done if he was here. We are doing this ceremony as a responsibility in his invisible presence," Oommen Chandy's son Chandy Oommen MLA said in an emotional ceremony. Chandy Oommen added that his mother Mariamma Oommen will be campaigning for the election for the first time in memories of his father.

Oommen Chandy's family handed over the money to Francis George in the presence of UDF leaders after reaching the Puthupally church.

The children of Oommen Chandy are campaigning with their families to break the rumours that they will be following the path of the children of K Karunakaran and AK Antony to join the BJP.

Mariamma Oommen sought votes for the UDF candidate at Kooropada in Kottayam constituency yesterday. Oommen Chandy's family is campaigning for Congress candidate Anto Antony in Pathanamthitta constituency where Anil Antony is contesting as an NDA candidate. "I will not say anything against Anil Antony, I will request the voters to give a vote for Oommen Chandy. It contains everything," Mariamma Oommen said.

The UDF candidates have requested Oommen Chandy's family to campaign in other constituencies as well.

Most of the Congress candidates reached the Puthupally church and laid flowers at Oommen Chandy's grave to start the campaign. Kottayam Left candidate Thomas Chazhikadan and NDA candidate Thushar Vellappally also offered flowers at Oommen Chandy's grave.