V. Venkatasubha Reddiar

Political career

According to The Hindu, Reddiar was "considered one of the architects who spearheaded the freedom struggle movement against the French ... [he] was in the vanguard of defiant mass movements against the foreign rule. Congressmen in these parts look upon him as the Father of the movement to liberate Pondicherry." In 1946, as Mayor of Nettapakkam, he joined with the Mayor of Pondicherry (K. Muthu Pillai) to demand the French leave the territory and allow it to merge with the Indian Union. Twelve leaders including Reddiar formed a parallel government against French Government on 31 March 1954; Pondicherry merged with the Indian Union on 13 October 1954. On 1 July 1963, Reddiar became the Public Works Minister of Pondicherry and subsequently, became Chief Minister.