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Political storm brews as Azharuddin set to join Revanth Reddy Cabinet

The total strength of the Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in Telangana is 18. The state currently has 13 ministers.

AzharuddinAzharuddin is set to be sworn in on Friday. (file)

Former Indian cricket captain and politician Mohammad Azharuddin’s scheduled induction into Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s Cabinet has drawn sharp objections from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, who see it as an attempt to influence the high-profile Jubilee Hills bypoll.

Azharuddin is set to be sworn in on Friday. The Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency has over one lakh Muslim voters, making his elevation a case of “wooing the electorate” ahead of a triangular contest between the Congress, BJP, and BRS.

On Thursday, the BJP lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission, calling the move a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
“It is an attempt to court the voters of a certain community and it is evident,” a BJP leader told The Indian Express. The BRS made similar allegations, saying the move was timed with the Jubilee Hills election in mind.

The BRS has held the seat since the formation of Telangana in 2014.

In response, the Congress said Azharuddin’s induction recognises his contributions as both cricketer and politician.
“There is a nexus between the BJP and the BRS and that is why they are opposing his elevation,” Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said at a press conference.

Azharuddin will take oath at 12.15 pm Friday.

In August this year, Azharuddin was nominated to the Legislative Council. His induction into the Council — the Upper House of the state legislature — had come under Governor’s quota. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy nominated veteran Telangana leader M Kodandaram and Azharuddin in August.

The total strength of the Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in Telangana is 18. The state currently has 13 ministers.

Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice. Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India. Expertise & Focus Areas Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include: Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India. Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism. Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities. National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting. Authoritativeness & Trust A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society. Find all stories by Nikhila Henry here. ... Read More

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