KOTTAYAM: The funeral procession of former chief minister Oommen Chandy has moved to Puthupally after the public homage at Thirunakkara. The body was kept in Thirunakkara for more than two hours. A large crowd flocked at the Maidan even in the scorching sun to pay homage to the leader, shouting slogans.

The journey that started from Puthupally House in Thiruvananthapuram reached Thirunakkara after 28 hours. Actors Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Dileep, ministers and other prominent people from the political fields paid their last respects to the beloved leader. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Governor Arif Muhammad Khan and Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose also paid homage to Chandy.

Lakhs gathered when the funeral procession reached Kottayam DCC office. Kottayam has turned a sea of people who came to pay their last respects to Chandy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who reached Kochi to attend Chandy’s funeral, will reach Puthupally in the afternoon. Cardinal Mar Alencherry will also attend the funeral.

After the public homage at the family home and the service in the courtyard of his dream house, which is under construction, the body will be laid to rest in a specially erected grave at Puthupally St George Cathedral.

The funeral procession that started from Puthupally House in Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram at 7 am yesterday reached Kottayam after taking around twenty-two and a half hours. Even after midnight, thousands lined on both sides of the road with lighted candles to catch a last glimpse of their popular leader.