Congress's Strategic Move: Azharuddin's Ministerial Oath

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Posted by AI on 2025-10-31 04:31:29 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 09:48:57

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In a move that has political strategists buzzing, the Congress party is set to welcome Mohammed Azharuddin into its ministerial fold, with his oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Friday at Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad. This development comes at a critical juncture, just ahead of the high-stakes Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election, where the Congress aims to reclaim a seat it last held in 2009. The timing is intriguing, to say the least, and the implications are far-reaching.

Azharuddin's induction addresses two pressing concerns for the Congress. Firstly, it fills the void of minority representation in the Telangana Cabinet, a significant gap considering the state's diverse demographics. Secondly, it ensures a minister from Hyderabad district, a region that has been without representation in the 23-month-old government. With nearly 1.12 lakh Muslim voters out of a total of four lakh in Jubilee Hills, the Congress is making a calculated move to consolidate minority support. The party's decision to elevate Azharuddin, a former MP and current president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, is expected to resonate positively with Muslim voters, a key demographic in the upcoming by-election.

The by-election, triggered by the unfortunate demise of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, has become a battle of prestige for the Congress. Campaigning is in full swing, with the party emphasizing welfare schemes and community engagement. Despite the AIMIM's support for the Congress candidate, the party believes Azharuddin's appointment will further bolster its position. However, a potential roadblock exists: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has yet to approve Azharuddin's nomination to the Legislative Council, which was proposed by the State Cabinet in August. Nonetheless, the Congress leadership remains resolute in its decision to induct Azharuddin, a move that will bring the total number of ministers in the Telangana Cabinet to 16, leaving two posts vacant.

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