KOTTAYAM: Tens of thousands bid a tearful adieu to the former chief minister Oommen Chandy, who died battling cancer. People lined up on the roads to bid a tearful adieu to their beloved leader during the procession carrying the body of the leader as it moved from the capital city to his hometown. People have not given such an emotional farewell to any other political leader in Kerala in the recent past.

The funeral procession started from Puthupally House in Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram at around 7 am yesterday and was supposed to reach Thirunakkara Maidani last evening. However, it entered Kottayam only Thursday morning at 5.30 am. In spite of the midnight rain and cold, people were waiting on the roads to offer floral tributes and for a last glimpse of their beloved leader. M C Road literally turned into a sea of people every time the procession passed by. With the rush of people, the convoy could not even move forward. Leaders worked hard to pave the way.

The convoy that left the capital city yesterday morning reached Kottarakkara only in the evening at 6.45 pm. People including students, elderly, women, priests, artists, activists of various political parties thronged to offer tributes. Chandy’s children waved to the people who were standing on both sides of the road.

The body will be laid to rest at the specially erected tomb of St George Church in Puthupally after the public homage at the family house and after the prayers conducted at the courtyard of his dream house which is under construction.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and many others will attend Chandy’s funeral. Security has been beefed up.