P. Shanmugam

P. Shanmugam Biography

P. Shanmugam was an Indian politician from south India who served as the chief minister of Pondicherry during from March 22, 2000 to October 27, 2001. A staunch loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi family, he was a member of Indian National Congress. He entered politics in the early 1950s, and remained a loyal member of Congress party through hout his political career. He was also a prominent figure from Pondicherry in National level politics. He served as a parliamentarian for Pondicherry for long 11 years from 1980 to 1991. He was a member of Lok Sabha. He held the post of Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee for about 33 years, and also played key role in the formation of many governments in the Union Territory.

P. Shanmugam was born on March 25, 1927 in Pondicherry. He joined politics during his younger days in 1950, and since then has been associated with Indian National Congress. When DMK formed government in the late 1960s, he served as Leader of the Opposition between 1969 and 1973. After a few more years of stint with regional politics, he got elected to Lok Sabha for the first time in 1980. He was elected to Puducherry Assembly thrice from Yanam constituency. After 1991, he returned to state level politics.

Shanmugam was the Chief Minister of Puducherry for a year, in two stints of six months each, in 2000-2001. He was a model leader, who followed probity and honesty throughout his public life. After 2008, he took a break from politics because of his deteriorating health. He passed away on October 27, 2001. He was a bachelor who was regarded as an able administrator and decisive decision maker, and led a simple life too.

Published: October 15, 2018

Updated: October 15, 2018