Poonam Azad is an Indian politician who joined the Indian National Congress in 2017, and she is married to former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad. He also refers to himself as a social worker.
Wiki/Biography
Poonam Azad Jha was born in 1968 (age 54 years; in 2021). She completed her 12th standard at Patna Women’s College, Bihar, in 1985.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx): 75 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
Husband & Son
Poonam is married to former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad.
Poonam with her husband
They have two sons, Somya Vardhan and Surya Vardhan.
Poonam’s son Somya
Poonam’s son Surya
Political career
In 2003, Poonam was a candidate against the then Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit from the Gole Market Assembly constituency in the assembly elections and won the election. He served the BJP for 25 years as a spokesperson. He switched his party from BJP to AAP in November 2016, claiming that he had been neglected by the party for a long time. In 2017, he again changed his party from AAP to Indian National Congress.
Controversy
In 2016, when Poonam left the BJP, she alleged that in-charge Arun Jaitley did not give her a chance to get a ticket for the assembly elections. In a press conference, talking about the change in his party, he said,
I left BJP because of Arun Jaitley. He has disturbed us a lot. I was denied a party ticket because of him.”
Assets/Property
Movable Assets
- Deposits in Banks, Financial Institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies: Rs. 85,50,483
- Bonds, Debentures and Shares in companies: Rs. 87,16,950
- LIC or other insurance Policy: Rs. 38,00,000
- Personal loan/advance granted: Rs. 5,00,000
- Motor Vehicle: Rs. 33,60,000
- Other assets, such as value of claims/interests: Rs. 3,40,000
Total Gross Value: Rs. 2,97,12,808
Immovable Assets
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 41,12,500
- Commercial Building: Rs. 5,00,00,000
- Residential Building: Rs. 1,04,00,000
Total Fixed Assets: Rs. 6,45,12,500
Liability
- Loan from Bank/ FI: Rs. 16,09,086
- Loans owed to Individuals/Entities: Rs. 5,00,000
- Any other Liability: Rs. 46,47,100
Total Liability: Rs. 67,56,386
Net worth
His net worth (as of 2020) is Rs. 87,468,922.
Facts/Trivia
- During assembly polls in 2003, Poonam went to monitor a polling booth near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, where she alleged that some Congress workers beat up BJP workers. When he went forward to end the argument, he too was attacked by Congress workers.
- Her husband, Kirti, has doubted and targeted finance minister Arun Jaitley over the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) issue. Kirti was blamed for violating party discipline, and she was suspended from the BJP.
- In 2016, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia gave Poonam a warm welcome when she joined the AAP and left the BJP. In a press conference held for his celebration, he gave his reasons for leaving the party. He said,
I see the future, especially for the youth, in AAP. The reason why I quit BJP is because we were persecuted by Arun Jaitley. He did not give us voting tickets despite many promises. Also, my husband, Kirti Azad, was suspended from his job when he raised his voice against corruption. The BJP maintains a dual stance.”
Poonam with Manish Sisodia
- In 2017, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken welcomed Poonam when she left AAP and joined the Congress. He has a long association with the Congress party as his father-in-law, Bhagwat Jha Azad, was the Congress Chief Minister of Bihar. In a press conference, he stated the reason for leaving AAP and said,
I have returned to the party that fought for India’s independence. I don’t have any personal problem in AAP. But, there is a lack of organization. I don’t agree with their politics. I want to work with Congress and strengthen it.”
Poonam with Ajay Maken
- In November 2021, she again switched parties and joined the All India Trinamool Congress with her husband. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed Poonam and her husband to join the party.
Poonam and Kirti with Mamta Banerjee
- Poonam’s husband, Kirti, is a senior batsman and an offspinner, and he was a member of the playing squad in the 1983 World Cup which was won by India. The squad also includes Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sandeep Patil.
Poonam’s husband in 1983
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
