Chandy Oommen Casts Vote in Black Attire as Protest Against LDF Government
In a powerful display of political dissent, UDF candidate Chandy Oommen arrived at his polling booth in Puthuppally wearing black clothes. The symbolic gesture was aimed squarely at the ruling LDF front, which he accused of orchestrating a relentless witch hunt against his late father, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
A Painful Legacy and a Call for Justice
Speaking to the media after casting his vote at booth number 140 in the Puthuppally Georgian Public School, Chandy Oommen did not mince words. "When this LDF government was in opposition as well as when they were in power, they carried out a witch hunt against my father that was unparalleled in the history of Kerala," he stated emphatically.
He was accompanied by his mother, Mariamma Oommen, and sister, Maria, adding a personal dimension to the political narrative. "Seeing black is a problem for many today," he pointed out, referencing the color of his attire as a symbol of the protest against what he described as unjust persecution.
Allegations of Unchecked Conspiracy and Stalled Development
Chandy Oommen highlighted that even the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had concluded his father was not guilty in the cases brought against him. "Still, no action was taken against the conspirators," he lamented, accusing the LDF government of protecting those who led the alleged witch hunt.
He extended his criticism beyond personal grievances, alleging that the persecution also targeted the Puthuppally constituency itself. "They were persecuted by not providing funds for development activities, which were hindered," he claimed. According to him, critical projects such as bridges and super-speciality hospitals have remained stagnant, stuck at the stage they were during his father's administration.
A Statewide Protest and Hope for Redemption
The UDF candidate framed the bypoll as a broader protest against statewide issues, including the Sabarimala gold theft case. "The entire Kerala is voting against this government in protest," he asserted, expressing confidence in a public mandate for change.
In a poignant appeal, Chandy Oommen said, "Today is the day when my father will get justice. Justice is going to be given by the people of Kerala." He clarified that his stance was not driven by enmity or anger but by a fundamental need for justice. "I believe the people of Kerala will do justice to my father by giving the state a Congress chief minister," he concluded, tying his personal quest to the larger political landscape of the state.
The black attire served as a stark reminder of the alleged injustices, making this bypoll not just a routine election but a symbolic battle for vindication and development in Puthuppally and beyond.
