Hyderabad: Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin has sworn in as a minister in the Telangana cabinet on Friday, marking a notable political development for the ruling party in the state.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan, where Governor Jishnu Dev Verma administered the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and senior Congress leaders.
With Azharuddin’s inclusion, the Telangana cabinet now has 16 ministers, leaving two more slots vacant as per the constitutional limit of 18. His induction is being viewed as a calculated political step by the Congress, especially with the Jubilee Hills bypoll approaching- a seat where the party faces a strong contest.
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A Strategic Political Move by Congress
Azharuddin’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the Telangana Congress, which is keen to consolidate its support base ahead of the by-election in Jubilee Hills. The constituency holds significant political weight, boasting over one lakh Muslim voters, who could decisively influence the outcome.
The bypoll was necessitated following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June this year due to a cardiac arrest. Political analysts suggest that bringing Azharuddin into the cabinet could strengthen Congress’s outreach among minority voters and urban constituencies in Hyderabad.
Azharuddin Denies Bypoll Connection
Addressing reporters after taking the oath, Azharuddin dismissed claims that his ministerial appointment was politically timed. “I am happy and grateful to my party leadership, the public, and my supporters. This has nothing to do with the Jubilee by-election. These are two separate matters and should not be linked,” he said.
The former cricketer, who captained India in three World Cups and later transitioned into politics, added that he would work “honestly for the upliftment of the oppressed sections.” Responding to BJP criticism, he asserted, “G. Kishan Reddy can say whatever he wants. I do not need a certificate of patriotism from anyone.”
BJP Slams Congress for ‘Minority Appeasement’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, strongly condemned the move, alleging that Azharuddin’s induction was part of the Congress’s “appeasement politics.” The party accused the government of prioritising “vote-bank politics over governance,” claiming the timing of the cabinet expansion was deliberately aligned with the bypoll campaign.
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BJP leaders described the appointment as a “reward for electoral expedience”, arguing that it was designed to woo Muslim voters in Jubilee Hills rather than being a merit-based decision.
Political Significance Ahead
Despite the criticism, Congress circles view Azharuddin’s entry as a morale booster for the party’s cadre and a symbolic gesture to strengthen its urban and minority outreach. The former cricket icon, who has represented Hyderabad in Parliament in the past, brings both popularity and experience to the Revanth Reddy cabinet.
As Telangana gears up for a politically charged by-election, all eyes will now be on how Azharuddin’s presence influences the Congress’s campaign and the larger political landscape in the state.