Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen has dismissed speculation that he is disappointed at being left out of Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s newly formed cabinet, stating that public love matters more to him than positions of power.

In an interview with News18 Kerala, the son of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy addressed rumours about his exclusion from the VDS cabinet. He refuted claims that his meeting with senior Congress leader AK Antony along with his mother was a sign of protest, explaining that Antony is a family friend who had merely wanted to meet his mother.

Chandy Oommen described himself as “Kerala’s son” and said he draws strength from the love he receives from the public. He recalled how an artist and a woman at the museum embraced him with affection, adding that such warmth might not have been the same had he become a minister.

Reflecting on the nature of power, he acknowledged that “power corrupts” is a real phenomenon but noted that leaders like K Karunakaran, AK Antony, and his father Oommen Chandy had successfully overcome it. He expressed concern about how election spending has escalated, with candidates spending three to four crores, creating debt traps.

The MLA said he may even quit politics after five years if circumstances demand it, emphasising that his priority remains serving the people rather than holding office. He also indicated that the party leadership would take appropriate decisions regarding the KPCC restructuring in due course.