THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Oommen Chandy, who was centred in Kerala, became the general secretary of AICC five years ago under the insistence of the high command. After getting charge of Andhra, he became popular there as well. Once he arrives there, all the Congress workers will join him. Slowly it became a crowd. When Oommen Chandy reached Delhi in his last days, his room at Kerala House was thronged with Andhra natives.

Andhra leaders say that Oommen Chandy is a humble leader who dresses simply. Language was not a barrier to mingling with Congress workers in Andhra. The former chief minister traveling on the back of a bike was a surprise to them. Oommen Chandy, the group strategist, had only a moment to listen carefully to the issues raised by the groups and take a decision on them. After 2018, if there is a small problem or dispute in the party in Andhra, the leaders say that they will meet Oommen Chandy..and then the problem will be solved. Many who left the party came back.

Andhra PCC President Sake Sailajanath told Kerala Kaumudi that he used to eat very simple food. Chandy never used to say that he wanted special food. There were major differences between other AICC General Secretaries and Oommen Chandy. If he comes here, he will always ask for a government guest house to stay. Even if he doesn't get a guest house, he will manage in a small room. "Oommen Chandy did not have the habit of staying in a five-star hotel", Sailajanath said.