Azharuddin’s induction into Cabinet sparks debate: Master plan of Congress or appeasement tactic?

Hyderabad: Why is Mohammed Azharuddin being chosen for a Telangana Cabinet post? This is the question doing rounds in political circles and among Muslims in the state.

The news gains particular significance in the light of the ongoing Jubilee Hills by-election campaign in full swing, with rising tensions among the major parties in Telangana.

Muslim leaders convey anger over lack of representation

To discuss the Jubilee Hills by-election, Telangana Congress had a meeting with its important Muslim leaders, along with the party candidate Naveen Yadav.

“In the meeting, every Muslim leader of the Congress Party conveyed the anger in the community to Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud. They relayed the feedback they are getting at the ground level, where the community is upset with them,” a source said.

A long-kept promise fulfilled

With no minister in the government and no other political representation, the issues of Muslims are not being sorted out. At the same time, no roadmap has been given so far for the plans listed in the Muslim Declaration of the Congress Party manifesto.

These points were explained in detail to Mahesh Kumar Goud, who promised to get back with answers.

As per party sources, Azhar being chosen for a Cabinet post is the outcome of that meeting. The party had promised Mohammed Azharuddin a Cabinet berth, and it is being fulfilled now.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has already spoken to Azhar in two meetings, and only the finer details are to be worked out.

Legal challenges

With a case pending in the Supreme Court regarding the MLC quota, legal issues are a concern. However, resolving them might take time.

A senior leader explained, “A minister can be sworn in and the oath will be valid for six months. In March 2026, six MLC seats are going to be vacant. In those categories, he can be reinstated if the court case is not resolved. This is legally valid.”

Muslim sub-plan

Members of the civil society also met CM Revanth and reminded him of the sub-plan for Muslims.

According to sources, the discussions were about the promised benefits and the security issues in the state. “We have reminded the party leaders of their promises. We also asked them to make a timeline for fulfilling them, which can be done with Azharuddin being in the ministry,” a senior member of civil society explained.

Will this move impact the Jubilee Hills bypoll?

Providing a Cabinet berth to Mohammed Azharuddin will have an impact on the Muslim votes cast in the Jubilee Hills bypoll, explained members of the civil society.

“People were upset that the Congress Party did not choose Azharuddin for the vacant seat and opted for Naveen Yadav. His inclusion in the government will have an impact,” explained a member of civil society.

News breaks the Telangana Internet

Social media became lively with the party's decision to include Azharuddin in the Cabinet. Old City WhatsApp groups are calling it a master plan for the Congress.

However, those who are supporting Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) are sending messages to Muslims to ‘beware of this chocolate’ being thrown at them. Many are expressing their anger, as they doubt the ‘time frame’ of the ministry.

No holds barred Jubilee Hills by-election fight

With the streets of Jubilee Hills becoming abuzz with visits from Congress MLAs and MPs, constantly appealing to the public to cast their vote for the party, there is definitely desperation in the air to win the election.