A K Antony

A K Antony Biography

•Full name- Arackaparambil Kurien Antony
•Born- 28th December, 1940 in Chertala, Travancore British  India
•Political Party- Indian National Congress ( before 1978) and (1982- present)
•Other political affiliations- Indian National Congress URS (1978-80), Indian National congress A (1980-82)
•Spouse-  Elizabeth Antony
•Residence (official)- 9, Krishna, Menon Marg, New Delhi
• Permanent Residence- 'Anjanam', Easwara Vilasam Road, Thiruvananthapuram 695014
•Presently in office-  Defence Minister
•Profession- Lawyer and Politician
•Post  held – Chief Minister of Kerala (27 April 1977 – 27 October)
                   Chief Minister of Kerala  (22 March 1995 – 9 May 1996)
•        Chief  Minister of Kerala (17 May 2001 – 29 August 2004)
•Minster of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (1993–1995)
Defence Minister Union Governement-  26th October, 2006

AK Antony is known for his clean image that he has carried forward in his political career. Shunning away from controversies, he has earned an image of a public servant without guile.  More than what can be seen and written about is the story of a man and his struggles with life that has formed him.  He is an example for those wishing to seek public mandate in terms of an impeccable record and intolerance to corruption in public life.

AK Antony Early Life- AK Antony was born into a Syrian catholic in Chertala near Alleppey in Travancore. Though his family belonged to the Syro Malabar rites Antonyis an atheist. His parents were Arackaparambil Kurien Pillai and Aleykutty Kurian. His father died when he was nineteen years old in 1959 and then on he went to self finance his education by taking up odd jobs. He completed like School Education from Holy boys High School and Governement Boys High School Chertala. He completed his bachelor’s in arts from Maharajas College Cochin and his Bachelors in Law from Kerala University.

AK Antony Political Career- He joined politics as an activist of the Kerala Students Union in Chertala under the guidance of the formidable party men of the time MA. John. He took part in many strikes like the Oru Anna Samaram (Single penny Strike). He went to become the youngest president of the Kerala Students Union in 1966 and also served as a member of the KPCC (Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee) .When he was elected as president of the KPCC in 1972 he became the youngest president of the KPCC.  He again elected as KPCC president in 1987 and was defeated in KPCC 1991 presidential elections. When K. Karunakaran tendered his resignation after the accusations made in the Rajan Case, AK Antony was sworn in as the 8th Chief Minister of Kerala and was the youngest as well at the age of 37.

He served his first terms in office between April, 27th 1977 to October 27th 1978.  In 1978 following a difference with the high command Antony formed his own political party Congress (A). However reconciled with the party and was rejoined the party in 1982 and became a member in 1984. He had to actually wait for his next political assignment however Antony rose to the ranks within the party and was considered for a ministry in the Union.

He was a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha between 1985 and 1995 and was the Minister for Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution for a year in 1994 He served as the Minister of Consumer Affairs , Food and Public Distribution from 1993-95. Again in 1995 following the connection with the ISRO case Karunakaran resigned and Antony was sworn as the chief Minister and completed the term. He served as the leader of opposition between 1996- 2001. Antony was reelected in 2001 and served his third term as Chief Minister from 17th May 2001 to August 29th 2004.

He resigned before completing his terms factional infighting and the poor show of the congress at the 2004 General Elections.  In his three terms as Chief Minister of the state he was instrumental in the decision to construct the new Legislature Complex was taken in 1977. During his tenure, he introduced the Unemployment Allowance, Festival Allowance for the State Employees, Prohibition of arrack and the steps initiated to revive the economy of Kerala.

He also took some strong initiatives in the field of higher education, science and biotechnology and information Technology. In 2005 Antony entered the Rajya Sabha as an MP and was inducted into the Union Council as Minister for Defence following the  Expulsion of  Natwar Singh. When the UPA Governement retained power in 2009 he retained his portfolio as Union Defence Minister. He is the longest serving Defence minister in a continuous stinct. 

Antony's political skills and long experience in government have also led him to heading a large number of committees of Ministers in the government, a device that has been employed to obtain consensus within the members of the governing coalition on contentious issues. He has noted for his incorruptible image and is also referred to as Mr Clean or St. Anthony. AK Antonyis placed second in ranks after   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh .

A K Antony Personal Life- He is said to be very low key as far as his public life is concerned. He is an atheist and has always assumed office by affirmation rather than by religious oath. His wife is practicing orthodox catholic and a lawyer at the Kerala High Court. They have two sons named Anil Kurien Antony who is a graduate of Stanford University and Ajith Paul Antony who is a graduate of St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He has been known for his dedication towards work. Many at time he has refrained from spending his public holidays with his family or travelling home for holidays all in the call of duty. He has presented himself as a model for others to follow.

AK Antony Quotes-
•Full conflicts between nations- “In the years to come, aerospace power will prove to be the decisive factor in shaping the outcome of conflicts. Indian Air Force is in the process of transforming itself into a strategic aerospace force befitting our national growth and aspirations.”
•After he was retained as Defence Minister- “We must always be ready to meet any kind of threat. For that, the armed forces need more modern equipment.”
•The Change in Kashmir- “.Kashmir is becoming normal. Violence is less. This situation cannot be tolerated by forces inimical to India... normalcy was coming to Kashmir fast, infiltration was increasing.”
•On Sonia Gandhi’s refusal to become PM-“For me this is not surprising because when everyone asked her to become prime minister she refused. She has shown again that she is not interested in position or power.”
•Problems faced by the Governement- “We are hopeful that we will be able to save the government.”
•On maritime security-“Maritime freedoms cannot be the exclusive prerogative of a few ... We must find the balance between the rights of nations and the freedoms of the world community.”

AK  Antony Controversies-  A K Antony has been  a loner as far as fighting the course of corruption. There is a joke in Kerala's political circles that whenever Arackaparambil Kurien Antony takes oath of office as chief minister or as Union cabinet minister, he keeps a resignation letter in his shirt pocket hidden, so that he doesn't have to waste time in drafting one in case there is a unexpected case of corruption or a scam in sight in the new dispensation. Moreover as being the minister for Defence he has taken on the lobbies all in his stride and has been transparent in his affairs.
AK Antony Books- The politician is yet to write any book.

AK Antony  Net worth and Assets- As per his declaration in  Rajya Sabha Affidavit he has moveable assets worth Rs 7,30,961 and Immoveable Assets of Rs 30,00,000. His personal possession is a total of Rs 1.98 lakhs while the moveable and immoveable assets accounting to Rs 37,39,961 belong to his wife  Elizabeth Anthony. He has no personal liabilities. As per the recent declaration of ministers he is one of the poorest ministers in the cabinet.

AK Antony Latest News-
Antony restraint in resolving China Sea issue
In a bid to resolving the South China Sea issue the minister stated that there was need to practice restraint in the issue.  The Defence minister advocated that  matter needed to be  by mutual dialogue and understanding and there is a need to follow the rules and regulation of International Law. In recent times, China and several other countries have been engaged in territorial disputes in the South China Sea territory. China has also objected to oil exploration by Indian companies in partnership with Vietnam.

Anthony Awards
2007- Asianet Malayali of the year  Award.