V. Vaithilingam
| V.Vaithilingam | |
|---|---|
V. Vaithilingam at 27th Flower, Vegetable and Fruit Show, Pondicherry
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| Speaker of Puducherry Legislative Assembly | |
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In office September 4, 2008 – May 15, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | N. Rangaswamy |
| Succeeded by | N. Rangaswamy |
| Constituency | Kamaraj Nagar |
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In office July 4, 1991 – May 13, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | M. D. R. Ramachandran |
| Succeeded by | R. V. Janakiraman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 5, 1950 Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu |
| Political party | Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Sasikala |
| Children | 1 son and 1 daughter |
| Residence | Pondicherry, Puducherry |
| Religion | Hinduism |
V. Vaithilingam (born October 5, 1950, Tamil வைத்தியலிங்கம்) is an Indian politician who is the Speaker of Puducherry legislative assembly and former Chief Minister of Puducherry. He represents Kamaraj Nagar Constituency in the assembly.He held the position of Chief Minister 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.
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.
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.
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.
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