Daijiworld Media Network – Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Oct 31: Former Indian cricket captain and senior Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in the Telangana cabinet on Thursday morning. The oath of office was administered by Governor Jishnu Dev Verma at Raj Bhavan, marking Azharuddin’s formal entry into the state cabinet.
The induction of the veteran cricketer-turned-politician fills a long-pending vacancy and brings the first Muslim representation to the Congress-led government in Telangana.
Political circles, however, are abuzz with speculation about the timing of the move, coming just days ahead of the crucial November 11 bypoll in the Jubilee Hills constituency, which has nearly 30% Muslim voters.
While the ruling Congress termed the appointment a “step towards social justice,” the Opposition BJP accused the party of using the cabinet induction as a political manoeuvre to sway voters.
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, BJP leaders alleged that the move violated the Model Code of Conduct, arguing that appointing a minister who had recently sought a ticket from the same constituency was an attempt to misuse official authority for electoral advantage.
Defending the decision, Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Goud said, “The Congress had promised to ensure minority representation in the cabinet. Even in the days of undivided Andhra Pradesh, there was always a minority face in the government. We are merely restoring that balance.”
Azharuddin, who is yet to become a legislator, has been recommended for nomination to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota. He will need to secure an MLC seat within six months to continue as a minister.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, Goud added, “They have no moral ground to question us. In Rajasthan, they appointed an election candidate as minister, and he went on to lose to our party candidate.”
The former Indian cricket captain’s political innings, now officially part of Telangana’s ruling cabinet, is being closely watched as the state gears up for the high-stakes bypoll in Jubilee Hills.