Pondicherry: The 56-year-old V. Vaithilingam, a senior legislator, occupies second rank in the Chief Minister Rangasamy's six-member Congress Ministry. He represents the rural constituency of Nettapakkam for the sixth term in succession. He had emerged victorious from there in all the polls held so far — 1985, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2001 and in the recent elections. Nettapakkam has been a Congress citadel.

Mr. Vaithilingam held the portfolio of Public Works Department in the Congress Ministry when the Farook Maricar headed Congress Ministry came into existence in 1985. He became Chief Minister in 1991 and provided a stable government for five years. He is now a Minister in the Rangasamy government and this is the first time that a former Chief Minister has become a Minister.

He is the son of veteran freedom fighter V. Venkatasubba Reddiar who was also Chief Minister of Pondicherry from 1964-1968. Mr. Vaithilingam was associated with the Farmers Association for a long time.

The 52-year-old E. Valsaraj, another Minister inducted on Monday, has been holding the Mahe constituency without a break after he won it in 1990. He was at one stage president of the Pondicherry State Youth Congress committee and also the Chairman of the Slum Clearance Board.

He was an active leader in student and youth movements in his nascent political career in his native place. He is the son of a veteran freedom fighter E. Karunakaran. Mr. Valsaraj was chiefly instrumental for the establishment of several cooperative institutions in Mahe. His efforts to have a Mahe Institute of Information Technology and a College of Education (offering B.Ed. course) bore fruit proving their worth for the younger generation. His enduring efforts for development of Mahe had been marked by the project to have a fishing harbour there.

He was at one stage the government whip in the 9th Assembly of Pondicherry. He held the post of Health Minister in 2000 and also successively in the wake of the polls in 2001. This is the third successive time that he is becoming a Minster here.

The 42-year-old M.O.H.F. Shah Jahan represents Lawspet constituency for the second successive term in the Assembly. He was Chairman of the Pondicherry State Wakf Board. He is computer savvy.

After completing his graduation in Commerce in Loyola College, Chennai, he did his MBA from Switzerland. His hobbies include reading, martial arts and travelling. He is the son of former Chief Minister of Pondicherry M.O.H. Farook (who is now India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia).

Mr. Malladi Krishna Rao (42) represents the lone segment of Yanam for the third successive term.

By becoming Minister Mr. Rao had fulfilled the aspiration of the people of Yanam that the region should have a ministerial berth, which has been without ministerial representation in the 44 years since Pondicherry became free.

The 37-year-old P. Angalane elected from Tirubuvanai (reserved) segment for the second successive term is the youngest Minister in the present government. He is an ardent supporter of folklore and is keen about promoting Indian culture.

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