Md. Azharuddin Takes Oath as Telangana Minister, Marks New Chapter in Politics and Congress Strategy
Former Indian Cricket captain and Congress leader Md. Azharuddin began his new innings as Minister in the Revanth Reddy Cabinet in Telangana on Friday.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 31: Md. Azharuddin, former cricketer and Congress leader, was sworn in as a Minister in the Telangana Cabinet on Friday. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma wore oaths of office and secrecy, at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.
Oath Ceremony Witnesses Political and Bureaucratic Dignitaries
Apart from the chief minister Revanth Reddy, cabinet colleagues, senior congress leader the state assembly speaker G.prasad Kumar, the government advisors and senior ias and ips officers were present.
After Azharuddin’s inclusion, the size of Telangana Cabinet expanded to 16, allowing room for two more ministers. As per the Assembly size, the state is permitted to have up to 18 minister
Azharuddin took the oath in English when Quill “Allah” and raised “ Jai Telangana” and “ Jai Hind” slogans. He was given a bouquet by and thanked the governor and the chief minister.
Political Impact Ahead of Jubilee Hills By-Election
Azharuddin’s entrance into the ministry is viewed as a significant political development for the Congress, particularly as the party is locked in a close battle at the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election. The constituency has more than one lakh Muslim voters and will dominate the polls. However, Azharuddin dismissed the assertion that his appointment was tied to the by-election his appointment came against a vibrant context, with the BJP leveling severe criticism.
The BJP characterized the selection of votes and electoral banks as “political appeasement” in the direction of minority groups of the bypoll. The BJP said that the Congress had arranged for the appointment to the Union to strengthen the hands in Muslim voters in Jubilee Hills. The cabinet expansion is part of the campaign for the bypoll.
From Cricket Captaincy to Political Leadership Journey
Azharuddin captained India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs. However, he had to leave the game in disgrace after being implicated in a big match-fixing racket in 2000. The BCCI subsequently banned him for life, but the Andhra Pradesh High Court overturned the order in November 2012.
Azhar entered politics and later became an administrator. He was elected president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association on September 27, 2019, but his term was marked by upheavals. The HCA Apex Council removed him as president in June 2021 and suspended his membership, with a show-cause notice issued ‘for various constitutional offenses of the association’.
He was later appointed working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, where his popularity was recognized and he was made the head of the election authority.
Open-government sources revealed that Revanth Reddy’s cabinet recommended Azharuddin’s name for the MLC post under the governor’s quota simultaneously with Prof M Kodandaram. However, the file has been pending at the Raj Bhavan as there is a pending case in the SC questioning the validity of the previous MLC nominations under the governor’s quota.
