Thiruvananthapuram: No state honours will be given to former chief minister Oommen Chandy during his funeral on Thursday. The government’s decision comes in the wake of the family’s written request that Chandy wished to have the funeral without state honours. 

The government had planned to offer a funeral with full state honours. However, the cabinet had delegated the responsibility of making the final decision to the Chief Secretary as the family insisted on Chandy’s wish. The new development comes at this juncture. 

Earlier today, Chandy’s son Chandy Oommen, the deceased’s son, revealed that his father wished for a simple and normal funeral. Similarly, his daughter, Achu Oommen, emphasised that the heartfelt tributes and love received from the people are the most significant recognition and honour for her father.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that before his demise, Chandy had expressed to his family his wish to be buried like a common man.

"He wished for a common man's burial for him. His family is fulfilling that wish," Chennithala told PTI.

A govt source said Chandy's family had written to the chief secretary, expressing his wish that he buried without state honours, as a common person. AICC secretary and MLA P C Vishnunath said the state government has accepted the request of the late leader's family. "It was Chandy sir's wish, and his family conveyed it to the government. The party also has no say on this matter as it was our late leader's wish", Vishnunath told PTI.

Burials or cremations of former chief ministers of the state are usually held with full state honours after the performance of religious rituals, if any.

The mortal remains of Kerala's two-time Chief Minister will be laid to rest in a special tomb that is being built in an exclusive area reserved for departed priests of his village church.

Preparations are in full swing for the funeral ceremony after a decision was taken to lay Chandy's body to rest in the exclusive priests' burial area inside the church premises instead of his family vault in the cemetery.

As a mark of respect for Chandy, the authorities of the St George Orthodox Church at Puthuppally decided to change their decades-old practice of burying deceased non-priest church members in the cemetery or in their family vaults.

The mortal remains of Chandy were being taken in a procession by road on Wednesday from Thiruvananthapuram to Kottayam, the stronghold of the Congress stalwart.

His body was taken in a specially modified low-floor bus covered in garlands and pictures of Chandy and packed with party leaders and workers.

Arrangements have been made at the Thirunakkara Ground here for the public to pay homage to Chandy and thereafter, his body will be shifted to his home in Puthuppally.

Chandy had been representing the Assembly constituency of Puthuppally, where he is affectionately called 'Kunjukunju' by the people, for the last 53 years and locals recall that the doors of his home were always open for anyone to walk in and discuss matters with him at any time of the day.

With PTI inputs