A. K. Antony

Arackaparambil Kurien Antony (born 28 December 1940) is an Indian lawyer, attorney and statesman who was the longest serving Defence Minister of India from 2006 to 2014. One of the senior leaders of the Indian National Congress, 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. He previously served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 1977 to 1978, 1995 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2004. During his first two terms, he was not a Member of the Legislative Assembly at the time of taking office- he was subsequently elected to the Assembly through by-elections. At 36, he became the youngest person to hold the office. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001. He held the post of Union Minister of Civil Supplies from 1993 to 1995. Additionally, he also served as Treasurer of All India Congress Committee from 1994 to 1995. He served as five terms as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. He was also elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly on five occasions from the constituencies of Cherthala (1970, 1996 and 2001), Kazhakootam (1977) and Tirurangadi (1995).