THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cherian Philip proposed Chandy Oommen's name for the by-elections to be held in Puthupally assembly constituency, which fell vacant after the demise of the former chief minister Oommen Chandy. Cherian Philip informed this through his Facebook post. He said Chandy Oommen has every right to succeed Oommen Chandy in Puthupally.

Cherian Philip said Chandy Oommen, who breathed the political air from the day of his birth and understood the culture of Congress and the working method of Oommen Chandy, became the leader of the Youth Congress at the national and state levels due to his own hard work and talent. He also reminded that Chandy Oommen had walked kilometres barefoot during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Achu withdrew from active politics after her marriage. Chandy’s eldest daughter Maria Oommen has been politically conscious since childhood. Maria and Achu were good orators in Malayalam and English. He also stated the Congress party and its workers are ready to welcome the two if they enter politics at this time when women are getting opportunities in politics.