P. Shanmugam

P. Shanmugham (25 March 1927 – 2 February 2013) (Born to Panchanatha Mudaliyar - Gowri) was the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. He served from 22 March 2000 to 27 October 2001.

A staunch loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi family, he was in politics since 1950. He was the Leader of the Opposition between 1969 and 1973 when the DMK formed the government. He represented Puducherry in the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms from 1980 and was elected to Puducherry Assembly thrice. He held the post of Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee for about 33 years. He played key role in the formation of many governments in the Union Territory.