SRINAGAR: The three-time Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, former union minister and opposition National Conference President Farooq Abdullah does not know the assets of his wife, who lives in London and who donated her kidney to him in 2014.
As per affidavit filed by 81-years-old Abdullah before Returning Officer for Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat, he does not know the assets of his wife, Molly Abdullah, who lives in London.
Abdullah is the joint candidate of National Conference and Congress for bypoll to Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat. The election for the seat, which fell vacant after Tariq Hamid Karra resigned from the LS seat and PDP last year, will be held on April 9.
“Since my spouse is away in London from April 1990, I have no knowledge about her assets in London, UK. However, she does not have any property in her name in Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah discloses in the poll affidavit.
Abdullah, who has been married to Molly for over five decades, himself has moveable assets worth Rs 1.68 crores and immovable assets worth Rs 12.50 crores.
Molly, a nurse, married to Farooq Abdullah in 1960s. She met Abdullah while he was studying medicine in UK.
The couple have three daughters Sara, Safia and Hinna and son Omar Abdullah.
Molly lives in London with her second daughter, Hina Abdullah. Her other two daughters -- Sara is married to Congress leader Sachin Pilot and Safia to a local businessman in Valley.
Omar Abdullah has separated from his wife, Payal, who lives with their sons Zamir and Zahir in Delhi.
Although Abdullah does not know assets of his wife but Molly has proved to be a valuable asset for him as he is alive because of her.
Molly came to the rescue of Abdullah when he fell ill in 2014 and badly needed kidney transplant to stand up again and continue his political legacy.
Molly volunteered to donate her kidney to his husband and Abdullah underwent successful kidney transplantation surgery in a hospital in UK in December 2014.
Now Abdullah, who was Renewable Energy Minister in UPA-II regime, is fighting a political battle against his rival and present J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who has aligned with BJP and runs coalition government with the saffron party.
Abdullah has been three time Chief Minister of the State. He first became CM from September 8, 1982 to July 2, 1984. His second inning as CM continued from November 7, 1986 – January 19, 1990 and ruled the State for the third time from October 9, 1996 – October 18, 2002.