KOTTAYAM: This is a new chapter in the history of Puthupally. The people of Puthupally, who continuously elected Oommen Chandy to the Legislative Assembly twelve times since 1970, not only did not abandon his legacy after his passing but also bestowed upon his son an even larger majority than they did for his father.

Simplicity, discipline and unwavering commitment to the cause set Chandy apart. The Congress cyberspace celebrated images of Chandi Oommen walking barefoot during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. He was embraced as the son of Kunjunju, the beloved figure of the Puthupally community. Chandy assured the people that the populist politics championed by Oommen Chandy would continue in the Puthupally by-election evoking memories of his father through his words, demeanour and style.

His tousled hair, unassuming attire and candid manner of speaking endeared him to Congress workers, who saw him as ‘one of their own.’ When actor Vinayakan insulted Oommen Chandy, Chandy Oommen's response garnered significant attention. He stated that there were no grounds for a case against Vinayakan and that his father would have expressed the same sentiment. Chandy emphasized that it's not about what Vinayakan said but rather about the people's recognition of Oommen Chandy's character.

Chandy's political journey began through KSU. He gained prominence in 2006 as the chairman of St. Stephen's College Union in Delhi. Subsequently, he emerged as a leader within the KSU and Youth Congress but remained less active in state politics. Chandy was reintroduced to the people of Puthupally during the celebration of Oommen Chandy's five decades in the Legislative Assembly. Throughout the roadshow on that day, Chandy maintained a strong presence.

Born on March 1, 1986 as the third son of Oommen Chandy and Mariamma Oommen, Chandy was named in accordance with Christian tradition adding his father's name to his own. After completing his schooling, he pursued a Bachelor's and Master's degree in History at St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He also earned an LLB from Delhi University. In 2016, Chandy completed a summer course at the London School of Economics.

He furthered his education with an LLM in Criminology from the National Law University, Delhi and subsequently became a practicing lawyer. He has been a Supreme Court advocate since 2016. Additionally, Chandy served as faculty at the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies. Currently, he holds positions as the Youth Congress National Outreach Cell Chairman, a member of the KPCC, and the Youth Congress State Secretary.