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Vaithilingam sworn-in as
Puducherry CM
New Delhi, September 04, 2008
A six-member Congress government headed by V Vaithilingam
assumed office in Puducherry on Thursday ending a nearly
year-long factional feud in the ruling party which led to the
exit of two-time Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
The 58-year old Vaithilingam, who along with four of his
ministerial colleagues in the previous six-member cabinet
spearheaded the revolt against Rangasamy, took over the reins
of the UT for the second time after nearly 12 years.
E Valsaraj, M Kandasamy, Malladi Krishna Rao, M O H F
Shahjahan, all ministers in the previous government, were
sworn in along with A Namassivayam, a former minister.
Lt Governor Govind Singh Gurjar administered the oath of
office and secrecy to Vaithilingam, who held the Power and
Industries portfolios in the previous ministry, and others.
Rangasamy was conspicuous by his absence at the swearing-in
ceremony which was attended by among others CWC member V
Arunkumar and Union Minister of state V Narayanasamy and
leaders of allied parties.
The formation of the new ministry followed the open feud
between Rangasamy and his cabinet colleagues and repeated
efforts by party high command failed to ensure rapprochement
and finally a change of guard had to be carried out.
Soon after assuming charge, the chief minister chaired a
cabinet meeting which decided a slew of sops, including a Rs
30 cut in the price of domestic LPG cylinder, hike in the HRA
for government employees and education assistance.
Vaithilingam had been elected from Nettapakkam in the last six
Assembly elections consecutively since 1985. He hails from a
family of freedom fighters.
His father the late V Venkatasubba Reddiar was among the
stalwarts of Puducherry liberation movement.
Venkatasubba Reddiar became Chief Minister of Puducherry
following the elections held in 1964, the first polls under
the Representation of People Act after Puducherry became free
de jure in 1962.
Vaithilingam is the 14th Chief Minister of Puducherry. The
swearing-in-ceremony lasted about 20 minutes.
It was witnessed, among others, by V.Arunkumar, Congress
Working Committee member and AICC observer for Puducherry,
Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning
V.Narayanasamy, leaders of the local units of DMK, CPI, PMK,
Bharathiya Janata party, Independents, officials and
representatives of various organisations.
While Vaithilingam, Shahjahan, M Kandasamy and Namassivayam
took the oath of office and secrecy in Tamil, Valsaraj and
Malladi Krishna Rao took the oath in English and Telugu
respectively.
Namassivayam took the oath in the name of conscience while
others including Vaithilingam took it in the name of God.
Earlier, Chief Secretary Naini Jayaseelan read out the
Presidential notification of the appointments of Chief
Minister and the other five ministers for Council of Ministers
of Puducherry.
The LT Governor extended his greetings to each of the six
incumbents after they were installed in office. He also
presented shawls to them.
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