Born On: 21st October, 1937
Born In: Soura, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Career: Politician
Farooq Abdullah or Dr. Farooq Abdullah is a famous political leader who hails from Jammu and Kashmir. He, currently, is the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy in India and is also the father of Omar Abdullah, the incumbent Chief Minister of the state of J&K. He is the son of Sheikh Abdullah, the stalwart of the National Conference Party and a former Chief Minister of J&K. Sheikh Abdullah was referred to as the "Lion of Kashmir". To get power is not easy; Farooq Abdullah's government saw many ups and downs during the ascent. In fact, his party in coalition with the Congress was dismissed many times and replaced by a pro-Congress Governor. There were rumours that he rigged the 1987 elections, which his party won. During his administration in the 1980s and 1990s, there was a giant leap in unemployment in the state and J&K was plagued by soaring militancy that eventually resulted in the death of thousands of Kashmiris. This period also saw the fleeing of Kashmiri pandits from the valley to live like refugees in their own country. Farooq Abdullah clarifies his stand on the Kashmir issue as pro-autonomy as well as pro-India. He is a self-proclaimed secularist with his children married to non-Muslims. He advocates the need to preserve the Urdu language and even suggested to the Central Government to grace it with the "second state language" status.
Early Life
Farooq Abdullah is the son of Sheikh Abdullah, the legendary nationalist Kashmiri leader who worked relentlessly to dismantle the feudalist Dogra rule in J&K during the 1930s and 1940s. Farooq studied at C.M.S Tryndale Biscoe School, Shiekhbagh (Lal Chowk) in Srinagar. His mother's name was Akbar Jehan Begam. He is a graduate with an M.B.B.S degree from the S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Career
He was a political novice when he was appointed the President of National Conference on August 1981. He has also served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir State several times. His father Sheikh Abdullah was a nationalist leader and a former Chief Minister of the state. He was a Doctor in England and is married to Molly Abdullah, an English nurse.
In 1987, when he returned to power in J&K, he made an alliance with the Congress. There were various issues that concerned the people of J&K. Unemployment and terrorism were at an all time high, which Farooq failed to suppress. Thousands of religious minorities fled the valley. The President's rule was imposed in the state. There were various allegations of corruption against him. He won the election in 1987, even though the Congress Party accused him of rigging up the polls. Militancy was soaring during this period and trained militants were making their way to India from Pakistan. Also, the daughter of the Union Home minister was kidnapped. Eventually, Abdullah's government was dismissed and the J&K state was brought under the President's rule again. He was dismissed by the Governor Jaganmohan when he was serving as Chief Minister during 1982 to 1984, but he returned to power in 1986 by striking a deal with the Congress.
In 2002, his Government was defeated in the polls by an INC-PDP alliance led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. Over the years, his government has been succeeded by the President's rule for more times than once. Farooq Abdullah is known to be a great orator and has stated that he love to work for the National Health Service. At present, he is the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. He has often said that his ultimate goal is to become the President of India. Farooq's party supports autonomy for Jammu & Kashmir within the Constitution of India and recognises the Line of Control (LoC) as an international border.
Farooq Abdullah is a member of the following golf clubs: Delhi Golf Club; DLF Golf Club; Royal Spring Golf Course, Kashmir and St. Andrews, Scotland.
He is also the President of the J&K Cricket Association.
Timeline
1980: Is elected to the 7th Lok Sabha.
1982: Is elected to the J&K legislative assembly and becomes Minister of Health, J&K.
1983: Is elected to the J&K legislative assembly for the second term and becomes the Chief Minister of J&K.
1987: Is elected to the J&K legislative assembly for the third term and continues to serve as Chief Minister of the state.
1996: Is elected as a member to the J&K legislative assembly and becomes the Chief Minister for the fourth term.
2002: Becomes member of the Rajya Sabha for the first time.
2008: Becomes member, J&K legislative assembly for the 5th term.
1/1/2009: Is re-elected to the Rajya Sabha for the second term.
1/2/2009: Is re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha for the second term.
1/3/2009: Made leader, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Parliamentary Party, Lok Sabha.
1/4/2009: Becomes Union Cabinet Minister, New and Renewable Energy.
5/31/2009: President, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
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