KOTTAYAM: UDF candidate Chandy Oommen has won by a historic margin in the Puthupally by-election. According to recent reports, Chandy defeated LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas by a margin of 36,454 votes. Meanwhile, NDA candidate Lijin Lal did not get even 10,000 votes.

Chandy Oommen even managed to surpass the majority won by his father Oommen Chandy in the 2011 elections. In 2011, Oommen Chandy had won by a majority of 33,255 votes.

Following his historic win, Chandy Oommen has thanked the voters of Puthuppally. Speaking to the media, Chandy Oommen said that he considers this victory as the 13th victory of his father.

"This is the victory of the people of Puthuppally who loved Appa. This is the trust you have placed in me, and I will never break that trust. Puthuppally has voted for continuity of development," Chandy Oommen said.

'For the last 53 years, Appa was in Puthuppally ensuring development and care. I will also be with Puthuppally for the continuity of that development. Those who voted for me and those who did not vote for me are all equal to me. Let's work together for the development and growth of Puthuppally. For several years, Appa was within the reach of the people of Puthuppally. Anyone could reach out to him and tell him their problems. Just like my father, I will also be within the reach of the people of Puthuppally. Party, caste, and religion do not matter. Let us move forward together for Puthuppally. I would like to thank Mrs. Sonia Gandhi Ji and Rahul Gandhi Ji. I would also like to thank all the senior Congress leaders," Chandy Oommen added.