Azharuddin’s entry into the cabinet comes ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election. The constituency has a significant Muslim voter base, and the Congress government’s decision is being viewed as an effort to strengthen its support among Muslim voters. Until now, there had been no Muslim minister in the Telangana Cabinet
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Verma administers oath to Congress leader and former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. PIC/X
Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in the Telangana Cabinet on Friday. Governor Jishnu Dev Verma administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.
After taking the oath, Azharuddin expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He was felicitated by fellow ministers and leaders who congratulated him on his induction.
Azharuddin’s entry into the cabinet comes ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election. The constituency has a significant Muslim voter base, and the Congress government’s decision is being viewed as an effort to strengthen its support among Muslim voters. Until now, there had been no Muslim minister in the Telangana Cabinet.
However, Azharuddin dismissed suggestions that his appointment was politically motivated, reported ANI.
“I am happy. I thank my party’s high command, the public and my supporters. This (becoming a minister) has nothing to do with the Jubilee by-election. These are two separate matters and should not be linked. Whatever responsibility I am given, I will work honestly for the upliftment of the oppressed people... G Kishan Reddy can say anything. I do not need a certificate of patriotism from anyone,” he told reporters.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: State Minister and former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin says, "I am very happy... I am very grateful to all the people who have supported me... I will work honestly on every task on every level. I have been facing criticism ever since I started… https://t.co/WVFx7pAswN pic.twitter.com/7ZN5B8Ncwf
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2025
With Azharuddin’s induction, the strength of the Revanth Reddy Cabinet has increased to 16 ministers. The total sanctioned strength of the Telangana Council of Ministers, including the chief minister, is 18.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the state chief electoral officer, alleging that Azharuddin’s inclusion in the cabinet violates the Model Code of Conduct and is intended to influence voters in the Jubilee Hills by-election, ANI reported.
In a letter, BJP legislator Payal Shanker claimed that the move was aimed at wooing voters and urged the CEO to take immediate action to revoke the decision. Azharuddin had contested from the Jubilee Hills constituency in the 2023 assembly elections.
On Thursday, Telangana BJP President Ramchander Rao described the decision as an act of appeasement.
“While the Jubilee Hills by-election campaigns are going on, the Congress government in Telangana wants to make Mohammad Azharuddin a Minister in the state Cabinet. This is nothing but an act of appeasement and also a violation of the model code of conduct... BJP opposes this move,” Rao told ANI.
Voting for the Jubilee Hills by-election is scheduled for November 14, with counting to be held the same day. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA and BRS leader Maganti Gopinath.
The Congress has fielded Backward Class leader V Naveen Yadav, while BRS has nominated Sunitha Gopinath, the late MLA’s widow. The BJP has announced Lankala Deepak Reddy as its candidate.
(With ANI inputs)
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