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{{short description|Indian politician and social worker}}
{{short description|Indian politician (born 1949)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Ghulam Nabi Azad
| name                = Ghulam Nabi Azad
| office              = [[Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha|Leader of the Opposition]]<br>[[Rajya Sabha]]
| honorific-suffix    = [[Padma Bhushan]]
| office              = [[Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha|Leader of the Opposition]] in [[Rajya Sabha]]
| native_name        =  
| native_name        =  
| image              = Ghulam Nabi Azad-cropped.JPG
| image              = Ghulam Nabi Azad-cropped.JPG
| image_size          =  
| image_size          =  
| caption            =  
| caption            = Official portrait, 2014
| 1blankname          = Chairman
| 1blankname          = Chairman
| 1namedata          = *[[Mohammad Hamid Ansari]]
| 1namedata          = [[Mohammad Hamid Ansari]]<br>[[Venkaiah Naidu]]
*[[Venkaiah Naidu]]
| deputy              = [[Anand Sharma]]
| predecessor        = [[Arun Jaitley]]
| predecessor        = [[Arun Jaitley]]
| successor          = [[Mallikarjun Kharge]]
| successor          = [[Mallikarjun Kharge]]
| office2             =  
| office6             = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start2         =  
| term_start6         = 1980
| president2         =  
| term_end6          = 1989
| office3            = 7th [[List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir|Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]]
| predecessor6        = [[Vasantrao Naik]]
| successor6         = [[Anantrao Vithhalrao Deshmukh]]
| constituency6      = [[Washim (Lok Sabha constituency)|Washim, Maharashtra]]
| office3            = 7th [[List of chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir|Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir]]
| governor3          = [[Srinivas Kumar Sinha]]<br />[[Narinder Nath Vohra]]
| predecessor3        = [[Mufti Mohammad Sayeed]]
| predecessor3        = [[Mufti Mohammad Sayeed]]
| party              = [[Indian National Congress]]
| party              = [[Democratic Progressive Azad Party]] (since 2022)
| office1            = [[Minister of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Minister of Health and Family Welfare]]
| office1            = [[Minister of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare]]
| predecessor1        = [[Anbumani Ramadoss]]
| predecessor1        = [[Anbumani Ramadoss]]
| primeminister1      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister1      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| successor1          = [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]
| successor1          = [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]
| successor3          = [[Omar Abdullah]]
| successor3          = [[Omar Abdullah]]
| birth_name          = Ghulam Nabi Azad<ref>{{cite web|title= Ghulam Nabi Azad named Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha |work=India Today|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ghulam-nabi-azad-becomes-first-congress-cm-of-jammu-and-kashmir-in-30-years/1/192618.html|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref>
| office7            = [[Chair (officer)|Chairperson]] of [[Democratic Progressive Azad Party]]
| predecessor7        = ''Office established''
| term_start7        = 26 September 2022
| office8            = [[Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India)|Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs]]
| primeminister8      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term8              = 23 May 2004 – 1 November 2005
| predecessor8        = [[Sushma Swaraj]]
| successor8          = [[Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi]]
| term9              = 18 January 1996 – 16 May 1996
| primeminister9      = [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]
| predecessor9        = [[Vidya Charan Shukla]]
| successor9          = [[Pramod Mahajan]]
| term10              = 21 June 1991 – 18 January 1993
| predecessor10      = [[Satya Prakash Malaviya]]
| successor10        = [[Vidya Charan Shukla]]
| primeminister10    = [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]
| birth_name          = Ghulam Nabi Bhatt
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1949|03|07|df=yes}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1949|03|07|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Bhalessa]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Dominion of India|India]]
| birth_place        = [[Bhalessa]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Dominion of India|India]]
| otherparty          = [[United Progressive Alliance]] {{small|(2004 – present)}}
| otherparty          = [[Indian National Congress]] (1973–2022)
| spouse              = {{Marriage|[[Shameem Dev Azad]]|1980}}
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Shameema Dev Azad]]|1980}}
| children            = Saddam Nabi Azad<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Son To Wed DLF Supremo’s Grand-daughter|url=http://www.fashionscandal.com/2012/11/ghulam-nabi-azads-son-to-wed-dlf-supremos-grand-daughter/|access-date=18 June 2020|date=2012-10-31}}</ref><br />Sofiya Nabi Azad<ref>{{cite web|title=My dad will do well, says Azad's daughter|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/my-dad-will-do-well-says-azads-daughter/article27503417.ece|access-date=18 Jun 2020}}</ref>
| children            = Saddam Nabi Azad (son)<ref>{{cite web|title=Who is Ghulam Nabi Azad?|url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/who-is-ghulam-nabi-azad/|access-date=18 June 2020|date=2012-10-31}}</ref><br />Sofiya Nabi Azad (daughter)<ref>{{cite news|title=My dad will do well, says Azad's daughter|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 November 2005 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/my-dad-will-do-well-says-azads-daughter/article27503417.ece|access-date=18 Jun 2020}}</ref>
| alma_mater          = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Government Degree Colleges in India|Government Degree Colleges, Bhadarwah]]|[[Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College|G.G.M. Science College]]|[[University of Jammu]]|[[University of Kashmir]]}}
| alma_mater          = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Government Degree Colleges in India|Government Degree Colleges, Bhadarwah]]|[[Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College|G.G.M. Science College]]|[[University of Jammu]]|[[University of Kashmir]]}}
| term_start          = {{Start date|2014|06|08|df=yes}}
| term_start          = {{Start date|2014|06|08|df=yes}}
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| office4            = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| office4            = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency4      = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| constituency4      = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| term_start4        = {{Start date|2009|02|11|df=yes}}
| term_start4        = {{Start date|2009|02|11|df=yes}}
| term_end4          = {{End date|2021|02|15|df=yes}}
| term_end4          = {{End date|2021|02|15|df=yes}}
| predecessor4        = [[Saifuddin Soz]]
| predecessor4        = [[Saifuddin Soz]]
| successor4          =  
| successor4          = [[Gurwinder Singh Oberoi]]
| term_start5        = {{Start date|1996|11|30|df=yes}}
| term_start5        = {{Start date|1996|11|30|df=yes}}
| term_end5          = {{End date|2006|01|29|df=yes}}
| term_end5          = {{End date|2006|01|29|df=yes}}
Line 46: Line 68:
| term_start3        = {{Start date|2005|11|02|df=yes}}
| term_start3        = {{Start date|2005|11|02|df=yes}}
| term_end3          = {{End date|2008|07|11|df=yes}}
| term_end3          = {{End date|2008|07|11|df=yes}}
| awards              = [[Padma Bhushan]] (2022)
}}
}}


'''Ghulam Nabi Azad''' (born 7 March 1949) is an Indian politician of the [[Indian National Congress]] who was the 7th chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 2005 to 2008 and was the [[Minister of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Minister of Health and Family Welfare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ghulam-nabi-azad.html|title=Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography – About family, political life, awards won, history}}</ref> He served as the Leader of opposition in [[Rajya Sabha]] until 2021 February.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghulam Nabi Azad named Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha |url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/06/ghulam-nabi-azad-named-leader-of-congress-in-rajya-sabha/|agency=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref> He has served as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister of India in the government of former Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] until 27 October 2005, when he was appointed as the [[Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]]. He also led the party successfully in the [[2002 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election|2002 Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir]].
'''Ghulam Nabi Azad''' (born 7 March 1949) is an Indian politician who served as Leader of Opposition in [[Rajya Sabha]] between 2014 and 2021. He also served as the Chief Minister of erstwhile state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] from 2005 to 2008. On 26 September 2022, Azad announced his own political party as [[#Democratic Progressive Azad Party|Democratic Progressive Azad Party]]. He is the chief patron cum founder of Democratic Progressive Azad Party.
 
Azad served as [[Minister of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Minister of Health and Family Welfare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ghulam-nabi-azad.html|title=Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography – About family, political life, awards won, history}}</ref> He has served as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the [[Manmohan Singh]] government until 27 October 2005, when he was appointed the [[Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]]. On 26 August 2022, Azad resigned from [[Indian National Congress]] and mulled creating a new party at the national level.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2022 |title=Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress, resigns from all party positions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ghulam-nabi-azad-quits-congress/articleshow/93793181.cms |website=THE TIMES OF INDIA}}</ref>
 
He also led the party successfully in the [[2002 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election|2002 Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir]]. He was bestowed with the [[Padma Bhushan]], India's third highest civilian award, in 2022 by the Indian Government in the field of Public Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-26|title=Padma Awards 2022: Complete list of recipients|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/padma-awards-2022-complete-list-of-recepient-11643162439142.html|access-date=2022-01-26|website=mint|language=en}}</ref>
 
He was a member of Committee constituted by the Government of India in September 2023 to suggest changes to the constitution for simultaneous polls in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-02 |title=Former President Ram Nath Kovind to lead panel on simultaneous elections - BusinessToday |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/politics/story/former-president-ram-nath-kovind-to-lead-panel-on-one-nation-one-election-396625-2023-09-02 |access-date= |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Ghulam Nabi Azad was born in a village named Soti of [[Gandoh]] tehsil ([[Bhalessa]]) in the formerly princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]'s [[Doda district]]. His parents were Rahamatullah Batt and Basa Begum. He attended the local school in his village. Later for higher studies he moved to [[Jammu]] and received his Bachelor's of Science degree from [[Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College|G.G.M. Science College]].<ref>{{cite web|title=nocorruption.in|url=https://nocorruption.in/politician/ghulam-nabi-azad/|access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Election.in|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ghulam-nabi-azad.html|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=rajyasabhampbiodata|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=126|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> Further more he also received a Master's in [[Zoology]] degree from the [[University of Kashmir]], Srinagar in 1972.<ref name=bio>[http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ghulam-nabi-azad.html Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography], Elections.in. Retrieved 25 April 2017.</ref>
Ghulam Nabi Azad was born in a village named Soti of [[Gandoh]] tehsil ([[Bhalessa]]) in the formerly princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]'s [[Doda district]]. His parents were Rahamatullah Batt and Basa Begum. He attended the local school in his village. Later for higher studies he moved to [[Jammu]] and received his Bachelor's of Science degree from [[Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College|G.G.M. Science College]].<ref>{{cite web|title=nocorruption.in|url=https://nocorruption.in/politician/ghulam-nabi-azad/|access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Election.in|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ghulam-nabi-azad.html|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=rajyasabhampbiodata|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=126|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> Furthermore, he also received a Master's in [[Zoology]] degree from the [[University of Kashmir]], Srinagar in 1972.<ref name=bio>[http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ghulam-nabi-azad.html Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography], Elections.in. Retrieved 25 April 2017.</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
Azad started his career soon after working as the secretary for the Block Congress Committee in [[Bhalessa]] in 1973. Two years later, he was nominated as the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress. In 1980, he was appointed as the President of the All-India Youth Congress.<ref name=bio/>
Azad started his career soon after working as the secretary for the Block Congress Committee in [[Bhalessa]] in 1973. Two years later, he was nominated as the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress. In 1980, he was appointed the President of the All-India Youth Congress.<ref name=bio/>


After being elected to the [[Seventh Lok Sabha]] from Maharashtra's [[Washim (Lok Sabha constituency)]] in 1980, Azad entered into the Central government as Deputy Minister in charge of Law, Justice and Company Affairs Ministry in 1982.
After being elected to the [[Seventh Lok Sabha]] from Maharashtra's [[Washim (Lok Sabha constituency)]] in 1980, Azad entered into the Central government as Deputy Minister in charge of Law, Justice and Company Affairs Ministry in 1982.
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===Union government===
===Union government===
[[File:Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad assumes charge of the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on May 25, 2004 (Tuesday.jpg|thumb|Ghulam Nabi Azad assumes charge of the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on 25 May 2004|left]]
[[File:Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad assumes charge of the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on May 25, 2004 (Tuesday.jpg|thumb|Ghulam Nabi Azad assumes charge as the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on 25 May 2004|left]]
In the second United Progressive Alliance Government, led by Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]], Mr. Azad, was sworn in as the Health Minister of India. He was elected to Rajya Sabha for 4th term and 3rd term from Jammu and Kashmir during the term of 30 November 1996 to 29 November 2002.<ref name="RS-list"/> He vowed to expand the National Rural Health Mission, which has mobilized half a million health workers, all across [[India]], and later his ministry also launched a National Urban Health Mission, to serve the slum dwelling urban poor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/azads-pat-for-nrhm-schemes/article4616625.ece|title=Azad’s pat for NRHM schemes|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/nuhm-launched-to-cover-urban-areas-with-over-50000-population/article5598113.ece|title=NUHM launched to cover urban areas with over 50,000 population|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>
In the [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry|second]] United Progressive Alliance Government, led by [[Manmohan Singh]], Azad was sworn in as the Health Minister of India. He was elected to Rajya Sabha for the fourth and fifth terms from Jammu and Kashmir during the term of 30 November 1996 to 29 November 2002.<ref name="RS-list"/> He vowed to expand the National Rural Health Mission, which has mobilized half a million health workers, all across India, and later his ministry also launched a National Urban Health Mission, to serve the slum dwelling urban poor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/azads-pat-for-nrhm-schemes/article4616625.ece|title=Azad's pat for NRHM schemes|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/nuhm-launched-to-cover-urban-areas-with-over-50000-population/article5598113.ece|title=NUHM launched to cover urban areas with over 50,000 population|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>


He has suggested a late marriage age of between 25 and 30 for population control, and has said that lack of electricity & thereby absence of TV entertainment in rural areas will cause people to produce more children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Azad+says+watch+TV+to+check+baby+boom/1/51351.html|title=Azad says watch TV to check baby boom|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>
He has suggested a late marriage age of between 25 and 30 for population control, and has said that lack of electricity & thereby absence of TV entertainment in rural areas will cause people to produce more children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/azad-says-watch-tv-to-check-baby-boom-51917-2009-07-11|title=Azad says watch TV to check baby boom|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>


===Leader of opposition===
===Leader of Opposition===
In June 2014, after the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] won a majority in the [[Lok Sabha]] and formed the Union government, Azad was appointed as the leader of opposition in the [[Rajya Sabha]], where Congress still held the majority.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ghulam-nabi-azad-made-leader-of-congress-in-rajya-sabha-set-to-become-leader-of-opposition-576466 Ghulam Nabi Azad Made Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha, Set to Become Leader of Opposition], NDTV News, 8 June 2014.</ref>
In June 2014, after the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] won a majority in the [[Lok Sabha]] and formed the Union government, Azad was appointed the leader of opposition in the [[Rajya Sabha]], where Congress still held the majority.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ghulam-nabi-azad-made-leader-of-congress-in-rajya-sabha-set-to-become-leader-of-opposition-576466 Ghulam Nabi Azad Made Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha, Set to Become Leader of Opposition], NDTV News, 8 June 2014.</ref>


In 2015, Azad got re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir, despite the PDP-BJP alliance holding a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/congress-leader-ghulam-nabi-azad-relected-to-rajya-sabha/ Kashmir surprise: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad reelected to Rajya Sabha], The Indian Express, 8 February 2015.</ref>
In 2015, Azad got re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir, despite the PDP-BJP alliance holding a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/congress-leader-ghulam-nabi-azad-relected-to-rajya-sabha/ Kashmir surprise: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad reelected to Rajya Sabha], The Indian Express, 8 February 2015.</ref>


[[File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the year 2015 to Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, at a function, at Parliament House, in New Delhi.JPG|thumb|[[Ram Nath Kovind]], President of India presenting the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the year 2015 to Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, at a function, at Parliament House, in New Delhi on August 01, 2018]].
[[File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the year 2015 to Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, at a function, at Parliament House, in New Delhi.JPG|thumb|[[Ram Nath Kovind]], President of India presenting the [[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]] for 2015 to Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, at a function, at [[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Parliament House, New Delhi]] on August 1, 2018.]]
 
===Resignation from INC===
In August 2022, Azad resigned from the post of chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress campaign committee hours after his appointment. Sonia Gandhi accepted the resignation from Azad. On 26 August 2022, he resigned from all positions including primary membership of the party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bigmirror.in/rahul-gandhi-demolished-congress-party-ghulam-nabi-azad-quits/|title= Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress party|publisher=Big Mirror News|date= 26 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ghulam-nabi-azad-quits-j-k-congress-campaign-committee-hours-after-his-appointment-11660698120607.html|title=Ghulam Nabi Azad quits J&K Congress campaign committee hours after his appointment|publisher=Live Mint|date= 23 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/ghulam-nabi-azad-resigns-from-all-congress-party-positions-heres-a-primer/article65813609.ece|title=Ghulam Nabi Azad resigns from all Congress party positions: Here's a primer|publisher= Frontline|date=26 August 2022}}</ref> In his resignation letter, he cited destruction of consultative process by [[Rahul Gandhi]] as a reason.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phukan |first1=Sandeep |title=Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress saying Rahul Gandhi destroyed party's consultative mechanism |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ghulam-nabi-azad-resignation-letter-primary-membership-positions-congress/article65813518.ece |access-date=2022-08-26 |work=The Hindu |date=2022-08-26}}</ref>
 
== Democratic Progressive Azad Party ==
On 4 September 2022, Azad announced the formation of a new political party after resigning from [[Indian National Congress]]. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will decide the name and the flag for the new party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-04 |title=Full Statehood, Jobs to Natives & More: With Big Plans for J&K, Azad Announces Own Party, Says People Will Decide its Name & Flag |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/ghulam-nabi-azad-to-hold-first-rally-after-congress-exit-in-jammu-today-likely-to-announce-his-party-5886565.html |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
 
On 26 September 2022, Azad announced the name of his new party as [[Democratic Progressive Azad Party]]. The flag of the Democratic Azad Party has three colours: mustard, white, and blue.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Democratic Azad Party": Ghulam Nabi Azad Announces His Party's Name |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ghulam-nabi-azad-announces-his-new-outfit-democratic-azad-party-ahead-of-j-k-polls-3377894 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Azad married [[Shameem Dev Azad]], a well known Kashmiri singer, in 1980, and they have a son Saddam Nabi Azad and a daughter Sofiya Nabi Azad.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/power-girl/1/146822.html|title=Power girl|work=India Today|access-date=2017-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.fashionscandal.com/2012/11/ghulam-nabi-azads-son-to-wed-dlf-supremos-grand-daughter/ | title=Ghulam Nabi Azad's Son to Wed DLF Supremo's Grand-daughter| date=2012-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-28/news-interviews/27987749_1_ghulam-nabi-azad-chief-minister-foreign-university|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140212191430/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-28/news-interviews/27987749_1_ghulam-nabi-azad-chief-minister-foreign-university|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-02-12|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Sofiya Azad ves talking|access-date=2017-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110403291500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827224635/http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110403291500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-08-27|title=My dad will do well, says Azad's daughter|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2005-03-11|access-date=2017-04-19|work=[[The Hindu]]|pages=15}}</ref>
Azad married [[Shameema Dev Azad]], a well known Kashmiri singer, in 1980, and they have a son Saddam Nabi Azad and a daughter Sofiya Nabi Azad.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20110815-power-girl-747114-2011-08-01|title=Power girl|work=India Today|access-date=2017-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-31 |title=Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) |url=https://twitter.com/ghulamnazad?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Sofiya-Azad-loves-talking/articleshow/2239627.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140212191430/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-28/news-interviews/27987749_1_ghulam-nabi-azad-chief-minister-foreign-university|url-status=live|archive-date=2014-02-12|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Sofiya Azad ves talking|access-date=2017-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110403291500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827224635/http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110403291500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-08-27|title=My dad will do well, says Azad's daughter|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2005-03-11|access-date=2017-04-19|work=[[The Hindu]]|pages=15}}</ref>
 
==Positions held==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Description
|-
| 1980 - 1984
| Elected to [[7th Lok Sabha]]
* Deputy Minister - Law, Justice and Company Affairs (1982-82)
* Deputy Minister - Information and Broadcasting (1983–84)
|-
| 1984 - 1989
| Elected to [[8th Lok Sabha]]
* Minister of State - Parliamentary Affairs (Dec 1984 - May 1986)
* Minister of State - Home Affairs (May 1986 - Oct 1986)
* Minister of State - Food and Civil Supplies (Oct 1986 - Sept 1987)
|-
| 1991 - 1996
| Elected to [[Rajya Sabha]] From Maharashtra
* Union Minister - Parliamentary Affairs (June 1991 - Dec 1992)
* Union Minister - Parliamentary Affairs (Jan 1993 - May 1996)
* Union Minister - Civil Aviation and Tourism (Jan 1993 - May 1996)
|-
| 1996 - 2002
| Elected to [[Rajya Sabha]] From Jammu and Kashmir
|-
| 2002 - 2006
| Elected to [[Rajya Sabha]] From Jammu and Kashmir
* Union Minister - Parliamentary Affairs (May 2004 - Oct 2005)
* Union Minister - Urban Development (May 2004 - Oct 2005)
|}
 
==Awards==
*In March 2022, Ghulam Nabi Azad received [[Padma Bhushan]] from President [[Ram Nath Kovind]].<ref>{{Cite web |title="Someone Recognised My Work": Ghulam Nabi Azad On Padma Award |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/someone-recognised-my-work-ghulam-nabi-azad-on-padma-award-2835182 |access-date=22 March 2022|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
*[[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]] 2015, at [[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Parliament House, New Delhi]] on 1 August 2018


==References==
==References==
Line 82: Line 155:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ghulam-nabi-azad-becomes-first-congress-cm-of-jammu-and-kashmir-in-30-years/1/192618.html Slippery slope], India Today, 14 November 2005.
* [https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20051114-ghulam-nabi-azad-becomes-first-congress-cm-of-jammu-and-kashmir-in-30-years-786595-2005-11-13 Slippery slope], India Today, 14 November 2005.
* [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Ghulam+Nabi+Azad/1/43185.html Ghulam Nabi Azad], India Today, 21 May 2009.
* [https://www.indiatoday.in/election-news/the-new-cabinet/story/ghulam-nabi-azad-48253-2009-05-20 Ghulam Nabi Azad], India Today, 21 May 2009.


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{commons category inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081208012517/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/kiosk/rsfinal3/whoswho/alpha_a14.htm Ghulam Nabi Azad] at Rajyasabha.nic.in


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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir|Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]]|years=2005 – 2008}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir|Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]]|years=2005 – 2008}}
{{s-aft|after=''Vacant'' (Governor's Rule) }}
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{{Padma Bhushan Award Recipients 2020–2029}}
{{Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Cabinet of Manmohan Singh}}
{{Cabinet of Manmohan Singh}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Azad, Ghulam Nabi}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azad, Ghulam Nabi}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:7th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1980–1984]]
[[Category:8th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1984–1989]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Health ministers of India]]
[[Category:Health ministers of India]]
[[Category:Civil aviation ministers of India]]
[[Category:Civil aviation ministers of India]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Indian Youth Congress Presidents]]
[[Category:Indian Youth Congress presidents]]
[[Category:Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Kashmiri people]]
[[Category:Kashmiri politicians]]
[[Category:People from Doda district]]
[[Category:People from Doda district]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Jammu and Kashmir MLAs 2002–2008]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:People from Washim district]]
[[Category:People from Washim district]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Indian National Congress]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Indian National Congress]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra|Azad Gulab Nabi]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra|Azad Gulab Nabi]]
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[[Category:Members of the National Cadet Corps (India)]]
[[Category:Members of the National Cadet Corps (India)]]
[[Category:People from Bhaderwah]]
[[Category:People from Bhaderwah]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in public affairs]]
[[Category:Jammu and Kashmir MLAs 2008–2014]]
[[Category:Presidents of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee]]

Latest revision as of 16:56, 12 March 2026


Ghulam Nabi Azad
Official portrait, 2014
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
In office
8 June 2014 (2014-06-08) – 15 February 2021 (2021-02-15)[1]
DeputyAnand Sharma
ChairmanMohammad Hamid Ansari
Venkaiah Naidu
Preceded byArun Jaitley
Succeeded byMallikarjun Kharge
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare
In office
22 May 2009 (2009-05-22) – 26 May 2014 (2014-05-26)
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byAnbumani Ramadoss
Succeeded byHarsh Vardhan
7th Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir
In office
2 November 2005 (2005-11-02) – 11 July 2008 (2008-07-11)
GovernorSrinivas Kumar Sinha
Narinder Nath Vohra
Preceded byMufti Mohammad Sayeed
Succeeded byOmar Abdullah
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
11 February 2009 (2009-02-11) – 15 February 2021 (2021-02-15)
Preceded bySaifuddin Soz
Succeeded byGurwinder Singh Oberoi
ConstituencyJammu and Kashmir
In office
30 November 1996 (1996-11-30) – 29 January 2006 (2006-01-29)
ConstituencyJammu and Kashmir
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1980–1989
Preceded byVasantrao Naik
Succeeded byAnantrao Vithhalrao Deshmukh
ConstituencyWashim, Maharashtra
Chairperson of Democratic Progressive Azad Party
Assumed office
26 September 2022
Preceded byOffice established
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
In office
23 May 2004 – 1 November 2005
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded bySushma Swaraj
Succeeded byPriya Ranjan Dasmunsi
In office
18 January 1996 – 16 May 1996
Prime MinisterP. V. Narasimha Rao
Preceded byVidya Charan Shukla
Succeeded byPramod Mahajan
In office
21 June 1991 – 18 January 1993
Prime MinisterP. V. Narasimha Rao
Preceded bySatya Prakash Malaviya
Succeeded byVidya Charan Shukla
Personal details
Born
Ghulam Nabi Bhatt

(1949-03-07) 7 March 1949 (age 77)
Bhalessa, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Political partyDemocratic Progressive Azad Party (since 2022)
Other political
affiliations
Indian National Congress (1973–2022)
Spouse(s)
ChildrenSaddam Nabi Azad (son)[2]
Sofiya Nabi Azad (daughter)[3]
Alma mater
AwardsPadma Bhushan (2022)

Ghulam Nabi Azad (born 7 March 1949) is an Indian politician who served as Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha between 2014 and 2021. He also served as the Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from 2005 to 2008. On 26 September 2022, Azad announced his own political party as Democratic Progressive Azad Party. He is the chief patron cum founder of Democratic Progressive Azad Party.

Azad served as Minister of Health and Family Welfare.[4] He has served as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the Manmohan Singh government until 27 October 2005, when he was appointed the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. On 26 August 2022, Azad resigned from Indian National Congress and mulled creating a new party at the national level.[5]

He also led the party successfully in the 2002 Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir. He was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2022 by the Indian Government in the field of Public Affairs.[6]

He was a member of Committee constituted by the Government of India in September 2023 to suggest changes to the constitution for simultaneous polls in the country.[7]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Ghulam Nabi Azad was born in a village named Soti of Gandoh tehsil (Bhalessa) in the formerly princely state of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district. His parents were Rahamatullah Batt and Basa Begum. He attended the local school in his village. Later for higher studies he moved to Jammu and received his Bachelor's of Science degree from G.G.M. Science College.[8][9][10] Furthermore, he also received a Master's in Zoology degree from the University of Kashmir, Srinagar in 1972.[11]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Azad started his career soon after working as the secretary for the Block Congress Committee in Bhalessa in 1973. Two years later, he was nominated as the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress. In 1980, he was appointed the President of the All-India Youth Congress.[11]

After being elected to the Seventh Lok Sabha from Maharashtra's Washim (Lok Sabha constituency) in 1980, Azad entered into the Central government as Deputy Minister in charge of Law, Justice and Company Affairs Ministry in 1982.

Subsequently, he was elected to the Eighth Lok Sabha in 1984 and was a member (1990 - 1996) from Maharashtra in Rajya Sabha.[12] During Rao's government, Azad took charge of Parliamentary Affairs and Civil Aviation ministries. He was subsequently elected to Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir during the term of 30 November 1996 to 29 November 2002 and 30 November 2002 to 29 November 2008, but resigned on 29 April 2006 as he became Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on 2 November 2005.[12]

The People's Democratic Party, a coalition partner of the Indian National Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, withdrew its support for Azad's government, and rather than attempt to sustain his government by requesting a vote of confidence, Azad resigned on 7 July 2008, and later left office on 11 July 2008.[13]

Union government[edit | edit source]

Ghulam Nabi Azad assumes charge as the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on 25 May 2004

In the second United Progressive Alliance Government, led by Manmohan Singh, Azad was sworn in as the Health Minister of India. He was elected to Rajya Sabha for the fourth and fifth terms from Jammu and Kashmir during the term of 30 November 1996 to 29 November 2002.[12] He vowed to expand the National Rural Health Mission, which has mobilized half a million health workers, all across India, and later his ministry also launched a National Urban Health Mission, to serve the slum dwelling urban poor.[14][15]

He has suggested a late marriage age of between 25 and 30 for population control, and has said that lack of electricity & thereby absence of TV entertainment in rural areas will cause people to produce more children.[16]

Leader of Opposition[edit | edit source]

In June 2014, after the National Democratic Alliance won a majority in the Lok Sabha and formed the Union government, Azad was appointed the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, where Congress still held the majority.[17]

In 2015, Azad got re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir, despite the PDP-BJP alliance holding a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly.[18]

Ram Nath Kovind, President of India presenting the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for 2015 to Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, at a function, at Parliament House, New Delhi on August 1, 2018.

Resignation from INC[edit | edit source]

In August 2022, Azad resigned from the post of chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress campaign committee hours after his appointment. Sonia Gandhi accepted the resignation from Azad. On 26 August 2022, he resigned from all positions including primary membership of the party.[19][20][21] In his resignation letter, he cited destruction of consultative process by Rahul Gandhi as a reason.[22]

Democratic Progressive Azad Party[edit | edit source]

On 4 September 2022, Azad announced the formation of a new political party after resigning from Indian National Congress. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will decide the name and the flag for the new party.[23]

On 26 September 2022, Azad announced the name of his new party as Democratic Progressive Azad Party. The flag of the Democratic Azad Party has three colours: mustard, white, and blue.[24]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Azad married Shameema Dev Azad, a well known Kashmiri singer, in 1980, and they have a son Saddam Nabi Azad and a daughter Sofiya Nabi Azad.[25][26][27][28]

Positions held[edit | edit source]

Year Description
1980 - 1984 Elected to 7th Lok Sabha
  • Deputy Minister - Law, Justice and Company Affairs (1982-82)
  • Deputy Minister - Information and Broadcasting (1983–84)
1984 - 1989 Elected to 8th Lok Sabha
  • Minister of State - Parliamentary Affairs (Dec 1984 - May 1986)
  • Minister of State - Home Affairs (May 1986 - Oct 1986)
  • Minister of State - Food and Civil Supplies (Oct 1986 - Sept 1987)
1991 - 1996 Elected to Rajya Sabha From Maharashtra
  • Union Minister - Parliamentary Affairs (June 1991 - Dec 1992)
  • Union Minister - Parliamentary Affairs (Jan 1993 - May 1996)
  • Union Minister - Civil Aviation and Tourism (Jan 1993 - May 1996)
1996 - 2002 Elected to Rajya Sabha From Jammu and Kashmir
2002 - 2006 Elected to Rajya Sabha From Jammu and Kashmir
  • Union Minister - Parliamentary Affairs (May 2004 - Oct 2005)
  • Union Minister - Urban Development (May 2004 - Oct 2005)

Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. After Ghulam Nabi Azad, who could be the next Leader of Opposition? Hindustan Times
  2. "Who is Ghulam Nabi Azad?". 31 October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. "My dad will do well, says Azad's daughter". The Hindu. 3 November 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  4. "Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography – About family, political life, awards won, history".
  5. "Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress, resigns from all party positions". THE TIMES OF INDIA. 26 August 2022.
  6. "Padma Awards 2022: Complete list of recipients". mint. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  7. "Former President Ram Nath Kovind to lead panel on simultaneous elections - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2 September 2023.
  8. "nocorruption.in". Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  9. "Election.in". Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  10. "rajyasabhampbiodata". Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography, Elections.in. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Alphabetical List Of Former Members Of Rajya Sabha Since 1952". Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  13. "Kashmir chief's surprise resignation", CNN, 7 July 2008.
  14. "Azad's pat for NRHM schemes". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  15. "NUHM launched to cover urban areas with over 50,000 population". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  16. "Azad says watch TV to check baby boom". Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  17. Ghulam Nabi Azad Made Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha, Set to Become Leader of Opposition, NDTV News, 8 June 2014.
  18. Kashmir surprise: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad reelected to Rajya Sabha, The Indian Express, 8 February 2015.
  19. "Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress party". Big Mirror News. 26 August 2022.
  20. "Ghulam Nabi Azad quits J&K Congress campaign committee hours after his appointment". Live Mint. 23 August 2022.
  21. "Ghulam Nabi Azad resigns from all Congress party positions: Here's a primer". Frontline. 26 August 2022.
  22. Phukan, Sandeep (26 August 2022). "Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress saying Rahul Gandhi destroyed party's consultative mechanism". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  23. "Full Statehood, Jobs to Natives & More: With Big Plans for J&K, Azad Announces Own Party, Says People Will Decide its Name & Flag". News18. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  24. ""Democratic Azad Party": Ghulam Nabi Azad Announces His Party's Name". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  25. "Power girl". India Today. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  26. "Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad)". 31 October 2012.
  27. "Sofiya Azad ves talking". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. "My dad will do well, says Azad's daughter". The Hindu. 11 March 2005. p. 15. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  29. ""Someone Recognised My Work": Ghulam Nabi Azad On Padma Award". NDTV.com. Retrieved 22 March 2022.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Political offices
Preceded by
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
2005 – 2008
Succeeded by
Omar Abdullah
Preceded by
Anbumani Ramadoss
Minister of Health and Family Welfare
2009 – 2014
Succeeded by
Harsh Vardhan
Preceded by
Arun Jaitley
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
2014 – 2021
Succeeded by
Mallikarjun Kharge

Template:Padma Bhushan Award Recipients 2020–2029