Azharuddin Gets Minority Welfare, Public Enterprises Portfolios In Telangana Cabinet Ahead Of Jubilee Hills Bypolls

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been appointed Telangana’s Minister for Minority Welfare and Public Enterprises in Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s Cabinet, the Indian Express reported.

A government notification issued by Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao confirmed the portfolio allocations, which were approved by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.

Azharuddin will take charge of the Minority Welfare Department, previously held by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and the Public Enterprises Department, earlier managed by Adluri Laxman Kumar.

Azharuddin’s induction is being viewed as a calculated political move by the ruling Congress ahead of the Jubilee Hills Assembly bypoll scheduled for 11 November.

The former Indian cricket captain had contested from the same constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections but lost to BRS candidate Maganti Gopinath, securing 35.03 per cent of the votes.

His entry into the Cabinet has drawn objections from the BJP, which alleged that the move violates the Model Code of Conduct.

Azharuddin is now the only minority representative in Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s Cabinet.

With his inclusion, the Cabinet strength has increased to 16, two short of the permissible limit of 18, including the Chief Minister.

The government is likely to induct two more ministers in December, coinciding with the Congress government’s second anniversary.

To enable Azharuddin’s inclusion, the state government has proposed nominating him to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota, along with Prof. Kodandaram.

He must secure an MLC seat within six months to continue as a minister.

Following the death of Gopinath, there was speculation that Azharuddin would again contest the Jubilee Hills bypoll.

However, with his Council nomination confirmed, the Congress has instead fielded Naveen Yadav as its candidate.

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