Azharuddin allotted minorities welfare, public enterprises portfolios in Telangana cabinet
What's the story
Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been given the Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises portfolios in the Telangana Council of Ministers. The announcement was made by Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao on Tuesday. His appointment comes just days ahead of the Jubilee Hills bypolls, where Muslim voters are expected to have a significant impact.
Political strategy
Azharuddin's induction seen as strategic move ahead of bypolls
Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's cabinet on October 31, taking the total number of ministers to 16. The Telangana Cabinet can have up to 18 ministers, as per its Assembly strength. His induction is seen as a strategic move by the Congress party ahead of the Jubilee Hills bypolls on November 11, where over a lakh Muslim voters are expected to be influential.
Political background
Azharuddin was nominated as MLC in August
Before his induction into the cabinet, Azharuddin was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) under the Governor's quota in August. However, his appointment is still pending approval from Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. The Jubilee Hills bypoll was necessitated after the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June this year. The Congress has fielded V Naveen Yadav as its candidate for these polls.