Vaithilingam
Encyclopedia
V. Vaithilingam is an India
n politician who is the former Chief Minister
of Pondicherry. He held that position from 1991 to 1996 and has been Chief Minister again from 2008-2011. Vaithilingam is credited with leading a stable and efficient government in Pondicherry State through a complete five year term during his prior period in office. He is a senior legislator serving six consecutive terms.
He belongs to one the most politically influential families. His paternal grandfather late Vaithilinga Reddiar was the Mayor of Nettappakkam commune during the French rule in Pondicherry. His father V. Venkatasubha Reddiar
who was also Chief Minister during different periods. However Vaithilingam by nature was a reformist and a dynamic leader with constructive views for the development of his State and with such laudable views he headed the Pondicherry Government from 1991 to 1996 and the Congress Legislative party from 1991 to 2000. His priorities as Chief Minister was to minimize budget deficit, increase private sector participation in public transport, improve health care system. In the history of Pondicherry State even though he was the second youngest Chief Minister, the annals of History will declare Vaithilingam as the first youngest Chief Minister who has served the full five year term at the age of 41.
, and raised in rural Madukarai, Pondicherry, Vaithilingam went to Loyola College
in Chennai for a time and later went to Madukkarai to take care of his family farms. In 1969, Vaithilingam got married to Miss Sasikala (born 1954), the daughter of Dr.Sambasivam who rendered yeoman services to Pondicherry in the position of Director of Medical services, later on. From his very early age, he developed exceptional leadership skills, an example of which was his role as the Chairman of Land Development Bank of Pondicherry State.
P. V. Narasimha Rao
. He advocated increased private sector participation in public road transport. His Cabinet consisted the following team players.
Despite occasional political troubles, Vaithilingam has maintained his popularity with masses of Pondicherry. He was for the sixth time elected to the legislature and served as Industries and Power Minister. Like his father he is gentle in nature, quite unruffled even in the face of high political turmoil. He was elected to lead the Congress Legislative Party on 28 August 2008 and was sworn in as Chief Minister, replacing N. Rangaswamy, on 4 September.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n politician who is the former Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of Pondicherry. He held that position from 1991 to 1996 and has been Chief Minister again from 2008-2011. Vaithilingam is credited with leading a stable and efficient government in Pondicherry State through a complete five year term during his prior period in office. He is a senior legislator serving six consecutive terms.
He belongs to one the most politically influential families. His paternal grandfather late Vaithilinga Reddiar was the Mayor of Nettappakkam commune during the French rule in Pondicherry. His father V. Venkatasubha Reddiar
V. Venkatasubha Reddiar
V. Venkatasubha Reddiar ) was the second Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Pondicherry . He served from September 11, 1964 to April 8, 1967 and March 6, 1968 to September 18, 1968.- Notes :...
who was also Chief Minister during different periods. However Vaithilingam by nature was a reformist and a dynamic leader with constructive views for the development of his State and with such laudable views he headed the Pondicherry Government from 1991 to 1996 and the Congress Legislative party from 1991 to 2000. His priorities as Chief Minister was to minimize budget deficit, increase private sector participation in public transport, improve health care system. In the history of Pondicherry State even though he was the second youngest Chief Minister, the annals of History will declare Vaithilingam as the first youngest Chief Minister who has served the full five year term at the age of 41.
Early life
Born in CuddaloreCuddalore
Cuddalore is a fast growing industrial city and headquarter of Cuddalore district in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. Located south of Pondicherry on the coast of Bay of Bengal, Cuddalore has a large number of industries which employ a great deal of the city's population.Cuddalore is known...
, and raised in rural Madukarai, Pondicherry, Vaithilingam went to Loyola College
Loyola College, Chennai
Loyola College is a Jesuit institution in Chennai, India. The college admits undergraduates and post-graduates and offers degrees in the liberal arts, sciences and commerce. It is an autonomous institution affiliated with the University of Madras.-History:...
in Chennai for a time and later went to Madukkarai to take care of his family farms. In 1969, Vaithilingam got married to Miss Sasikala (born 1954), the daughter of Dr.Sambasivam who rendered yeoman services to Pondicherry in the position of Director of Medical services, later on. From his very early age, he developed exceptional leadership skills, an example of which was his role as the Chairman of Land Development Bank of Pondicherry State.
Political career
In 1980, at the age of 30 ran for the Legislative Assembly and lost with a narrow margin of 90 odd votes. In 1985, Vaithilingam won to become Public Works and Power Minister. He became a leading figure among the Congress Party members. He advocated smaller government and greater participation of private sector. Vaithilingam projected an image as highly sympathetic to the concerns of ordinary people. This ensured his return and advance in power to become the Chief Minister in 1991. In addition to his political skills, Vaithilingam also benefited from a very skillful management of the economy and the liberalization policies followed by Prime MinisterP. V. Narasimha Rao
P. V. Narasimha Rao
Pamulaparti Venkata "Narasimha Rao" was the ninth Prime Minister of India . He led an important administration, overseeing a major economic transformation and several home incidents affecting national security of India. Rao accelerated the dismantling of the Licence Raj. He is often referred to as...
. He advocated increased private sector participation in public road transport. His Cabinet consisted the following team players.
- C.M. Asraf
- Chandrahasu
- Gandhiraj
- Anandha Baskaran Chettiar
- N. RangaswamyN. RangaswamyN. Rangaswamy is Indian politician who served as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Pondicherry from 2001 to 2008 and 2011 so on...
Comeback
He did have his share of critics: Vaithilingam was charged with an attempt to corrupt a fellow legislature. Although he was acquitted on all charges, Vaithilingam lost his leadership of the Congress Legislative party in 2000.Despite occasional political troubles, Vaithilingam has maintained his popularity with masses of Pondicherry. He was for the sixth time elected to the legislature and served as Industries and Power Minister. Like his father he is gentle in nature, quite unruffled even in the face of high political turmoil. He was elected to lead the Congress Legislative Party on 28 August 2008 and was sworn in as Chief Minister, replacing N. Rangaswamy, on 4 September.