The funeral of veteran Congress leader and Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who passed away today morning, will be held on Thursday afternoon at Puthuppally Church, Kottayam. The mortal remains of the leader will reach Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru today afternoon and will be kept for the public to pay homage at the Durbal Hall, St. George's Orthodox Cathedral, and Indira Bhavan in the capital. The body will be taken in a procession to Puthuppally, Kottayam, tomorrow morning.
 
Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy passed away in a private hospital in Bangaluru this morning following prolonged illness. He was 79. He was undergoing treatment for throat cancer for some time.
 
The State Government has declared two days of official mourning in the State. Offices, schools, and colleges will remain closed today as a mark of respect to the departed leader.   
 
Oommen Chandy served as the Kerala chief minister twice – from 2004-06 and 2011-16. The veteran leader began his stint as a legislator by winning the 1970 state assembly elections at the age of 27. He later went on to win 11 consecutive polls.He represented Puthupally assembly constituency and was the longest-serving MLA in the state assembly. His body was kept in former Minister T. John's residence in Bengaluru today forenoon for the public to pay their last tribute.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tribute to the veteran leader.  Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and party President Mallikarjun Kharge, who are in the City for Opposition Party meeting, also paid tribute to the departed leader. Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar paid respects to the departed soul.
 
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu has expressed grief over the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. In her condolence message, the President said that in his demise, the country has lost an eminent personality who was dedicated to serving the people. She said that his contribution to the progress of Kerala and his impact on the national political space will always be remembered. The President conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the members of his family and his countless followers.
 
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in a tweet today said, Oommen Chandy was a visionary leader known for his unwavering dedication to the development of Kerala and for his remarkable humility.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. In his condolence message, Mr Modi said that in the passing away of  Oommen Chandy, the country has lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala. The Prime Minister recalled his various interactions with him, particularly when both of them served as Chief Ministers in their respective states, and later when Mr Modi moved to Delhi. Mr Modi said, his thoughts are with the family and supporters of Oommen Chandy in this sorrowful hour.