V. Vaithilingam

V.Vaithilingam
V. Vaithilingam at 27th Flower, Vegetable and Fruit Show, Pondicherry
9th Chief Minister of Puducherry
In office September 4, 2008 – May 15, 2011
Preceded by	N. Rangaswamy
Succeeded by	N. Rangaswamy
Constituency	Kamaraj Nagar
In office July 4, 1991 – May 13, 1996
Preceded by	M. D. R. Ramachandran
Succeeded by	R. V. Janakiraman
Personal details
Born	(1950-10-05) October 5, 1950 Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
Political party	Congress
Spouse	Sasikala
Children	1 son and 1 daughter
Residence(s)	Pondicherry, Puducherry

V. Vaithilingam (born October 5, 1950, Tamil வைத்தியலிங்கம்) is an Indian politician who is the former Chief Minister of Puducherry. 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 Puducherry State through a complete five-year term during his prior period in office. He is a senior legislator serving eight consecutive terms.

His paternal grandfather late Vaithilinga Reddiar was the Mayor of Nettappakkam commune during the French rule in Puducherry and his father V. Venkatasubha Reddiar was also a Chief minister of Puducherry. He headed the Puducherry 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. He became Chief Minister at the age of 41.

Early life

He was born at Cuddalore, and was raised up in his native place Madukarai, Puducherry. After completing his schooling, he went to Loyola College in Chennai and later went to Madukkarai to take care of his family farms. In 1969, Vaithilingam got married to Miss Sasikala, the daughter of Dr.Sambasivam who rendered yeoman services to Puducherry 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 Puducherry 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 familiar among the Congress Party members. He advocated smaller government and greater participation of private sector. Vaithilingam also benefited from 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.

Electoral history

Year	Post	Constituency	Party	Opponent	Opposition Party	Result
1980	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	R. Subaraya Gounder	JNP	Lost
1985	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	P. Ramamurthy	DMK	Won
1990	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	N. Devadass	DMK	Won
1991	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	R. Subraya Gounder	DMK	Won
1996	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	V. Muthunarayanan	Independent	Won
2001	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	K. Dhanraju	PMK	Won
2006	M.L.A	Nettapakkam	INC	V. Muthunarayanan	PMC	Won
2011	M.L.A	Kamaraj Nagar	INC	Nara Kalainathan	CPI	Won
2016	M.L.A	Kamaraj Nagar	INC	P. Ganesan	AIADMK	Won

Comeback

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. He was for the sixth time elected to the legislature and served as Industries and Power Minister. 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.