Oommen Chandy becomes longest serving member of Kerala Legislative Assembly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Oommen Chandy has now completed 18728 days as a member of the Legislative Assembly yesterday based on the date of formation of the Legislative Assembly. Oommen Chandy now owns the record of being the longest serving member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. He broke the record of late KM Mani. If we look at the date of swearing-in, technically the record will be broken on the 11th of this month.

Oommen Chandy first became a member of the Legislative Assembly from Puthupally in Kottayam district in 1970. Elections to the 4th Kerala Legislative Assembly were held on 17th September 1970. Counting of votes was on the next day. It was then that the Puthupally constituency, which had been with the Left until then, shifted in favour of Congress. The fourth Kerala Legislative Assembly came into existence on October 4, 1970. Until 2021, Oommen Chandy won his ticket to the Legislative Assembly by winning from Puthupally alone for 12 consecutive times. He has been the Chief Minister of the state twice, Leader of the Opposition once and Minister four times. The fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly was formed on May 3, 2021.

Mani holds record in ministerial position

Having won 13 consecutive terms from Pala constituency from 1965 to 2016, KM Mani has been a member of 12 assemblies. He first won in 1965. On March 17, 1965, the results of the polls were out, but as no one got the majority required to form the cabinet, the assembly was dissolved on March 24 without taking the oath of office. So KM Mani first took oath as a legislator in 1967.

Mani still holds the record for the longest serving minister-8759 days. Mani passed away on April 9, 2019 while he was an MLA.