V Vaithilingam: Incumbent MP, Former CM To Retain Lone Puducherry Seat (image:facebook.com/vvaithilingam.vaithilingam.5)

In the Lok Sabha polls, incumbent MP and former chief minister of Puducherry, V Vaithilingam hopes to retain the lone seat of Puducherry. In the 2019 elections, Congress veteran defeated All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) candidate Dr. Narayanasamy Kesavan. He won the election by a margin of 1,97,025 votes.

In 2016, he assumed the role of Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, subsequently, resigned from the MLA post to contest 2019 Lok Sabha election.

At the age of 40, he became the 11th Chief Minister of Pondicherry (1991-1996) and then served as the 16th Chief Minister of Puducherry (2008-2011). He is regarded as the second youngest Chief Minister of Puducherry.

The Vaithilingam family is known for their contributions as freedom fighters against French rule. His paternal grandfather late Vaithilingam Reddiar was the Mayor of Nettapakkam commune during the French rule in Puducherry. His father V. Venkatasubha Reddiar has also served as the Chief Minister of Pondicherry.

He started his political career in 1980. In the same year, he unsuccessfully contested for a Legislative Assembly seat and lost by a narrow margin of 90 odd votes. In 1985, Vaithilingam got elected as an MLA and became a Public Works and Power Minister.

Under his administration, Pondicherry saw a drastic growth in the industrial and education sector. During election campaigns, Vaithilingam promises statehood for Puducherry. Addressing an election rally MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that if INDIA bloc voted to power, Puducherry would be made a full-fledged state, the NDTV reports.

(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project)