Vaithilingam

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V.Vaithilingam
Industries and Power Minister
Constituency Maducarai
Born October 5, 1950(1950-10-05)
Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
Political party Congress
Spouse Sasikala
Children 1 son and 1 daughter
Residence Pondicherry

V.Vaithilingam (born October 5, 1950, Tamil வைத்தியலிங்கம்) was a Chief Minister of Pondicherry, serving from 1991 to 1996. He is credited to having given the first stable and efficient government in the Pondicherry State for a complete five year term. 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 the Pondicherry State. His father V.Venkatasubba Reddiar who was also Chief Minister during different periods was a person of unimpeachable integrity and highly respected by one and all both in Pondicherry State and all over India for his gentleness, kindness, generosity and magnanimity even towards those who differed from him in their political views. His sacrifices and struggles to liberate Pondicherry from French rule would take volumes in the annals of Pondicherry history. Although belonging to landed gentry, Venkatasubba Reddiar had his heart towards the poor and downtrodden and strived throughout his political career towards their uplift. He possessed neither rancour nor malice towards any one either personally or politically. He neither sought nor go after fame and name. Fame and name came to stay with V.Venkatasubba Reddiar, as one of the chief architects of liberation of Pondicherry State from the French rule and his name as the most benevolent and humane Chief Minister will remain in the Pondicherry's political pages till the end of time. Such was his humane and benevolent nature. Free from chicanery or ill will towards anyone, ever graceful and tranquil,he lent grace to the position of Chief Minister. Late Mr. C.N Annadurai the first DMK Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu of the DMK regime while talking about the first Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency after independence, Shri. O.P.Ramasamy Reddiar used to refer him as "Uththamar Omandooraar" meaning that he was person of excellent human virtues and free from any vices. With a saintly personality and a mind free from fear or favor or any attachments, Shri.O.P. Ramaswami Reddiar was the "Brahmarishi" Chief Minister even though his tenure was not long and he totally withdrew himself from the political arena settling down at Vadalurand living the life of a recluse till his death. Unlike him, Shri.V.Venkatasubba Reddiar, keeping the welfare of the people of his state, continued in his political career and like King Janaka of the Ramayana lore, came to be known as the "Raja Rishi", in the true sense of the word, for Pondicherry State. Having thus descended from an illustrious forebear, Vaithilangam also inherited most of his father's noble traits. However, unlike his father, 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 - 1996 and the Congress Legislative party from 1991 - 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.

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[edit] Early life

Born in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu 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 the Pondicherry State 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.

[edit] 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 Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. 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. Rangaswamy

[edit] Major legislation signed

[edit] Initiatives

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.

[edit] Comeback

Despite occasional political troubles, Vaithilingam he maintained his popularity with masses of Pondicherry State. He was for the sixth time elected to the legislature, and currently serves as Industries and Power Minister. He also serves as a special invitee to Congress Working Committee. Like his father he is gentle in nature, quite unruffled even in the face of high political turmoil.

[edit] Titles held

Preceded by
D.R. Ramachandran		 Chief Minister of Puduchery
4 July 1991–13 May 1996		 Succeeded by
R.V. Janakiraman
Preceded by
V.M.C. Ganapathy		 Leader of Opposition of Puduchery
26 May 1996–21 March 2000		 Succeeded by
R.V. Janakiraman