A. K. Antony
Arackaparambil Kurien Antony (born 28 December 1940) is an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the Minister of Defence of India from 2006 to 2014. He previously served as the 6th Chief Minister of Kerala from 1977 to 1978, 1995 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2004. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Action Committee of the All India Congress Committee, Congress Working Committee, and member of the Congress Core Group and Central Election Committee.
A. K. Antony | |
|---|---|
A. K. Antony in 2009 | |
| 23rd Union Minister of Defence | |
| In office 26 October 2006 – 26 May 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Preceded by | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Succeeded by | Arun Jaitley |
| Chief Minister of Kerala | |
| In office 17 May 2001 – 29 August 2004 | |
| Governor | Sikander Bakht T. N. Chaturvedi R. L. Bhatia |
| Preceded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Succeeded by | Oommen Chandy |
| In office 22 March 1995 – 9 May 1996 | |
| Governor | B. Rachaiah P. Shiv Shankar Khurshed Alam Khan |
| Preceded by | K. Karunakaran |
| Succeeded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| In office 27 April 1977 – 27 October 1978 | |
| Governor | N. N. Wanchoo Jyothi Vencatachellum |
| Preceded by | K. Karunakaran |
| Succeeded by | P. K. Vasudevan Nair |
| Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 20 May 1996 – 13 May 2001 | |
| Preceded by | V. S. Achuthanandan |
| Succeeded by | V. S. Achuthanandan |
| Union Minister Of Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution | |
| In office 18 January 1993 – 8 February 1995 | |
| Prime Minister | P. V. Narasimha Rao |
| Preceded by | P. V. Narasimha Rao |
| Succeeded by | Buta Singh |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 2005–2022 | |
| Constituency | Kerala |
| In office 1985–1995 | |
| Constituency | Kerala |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1996–2005 | |
| Constituency | Cherthala |
| In office 1995–1996 | |
| Constituency | Tirurangadi |
| In office 1977–1979 | |
| Constituency | Kazhakootam |
| In office 1970–1977 | |
| Constituency | Cherthala |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Arackaparambil Kurien Antony 28 December 1940 Cherthala, Kingdom of Travancore (present day Alappuzha district, Kerala, India) |
| Political party | Indian National Congress (Before 1978; 1982–present) Indian National Congress-Urs (1978–1980) Indian National Congress-A (1980–1982) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Antony |
| Children | Anil K. Antony Ajith Antony |
| Alma mater | Maharaja's College, Ernakulam Government Law College, Ernakulam |
Antony served as Defence Minister for almost 8 years, making him the longest serving Defence Minister in India. He has thrice been the 8th Chief Minister of Kerala and Leader of Opposition once in Kerala Legislative Assembly. He has also served as Treasurer of All India Congress Committee from 1994 to 1995.