Azharuddin gets Minorities Welfare, Public Enterprises portfolio

The Congress government allocated Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises departments to former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin, ending three days of speculation. His induction has faced criticism, with many alleging it is appeasement politics ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election

HYDERABAD: The Congress government on Tuesday allocated the Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises department to former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin, who was inducted into the cabinet on October 31.

There was suspense for three days over the portfolio allocation to the former cricketer. Apart from political circles, there was curiosity in Gandhi Bhavan also over his portfolio allocation. Drawing curtains to the uncertainty, the government allocated two portfolios to Azharuddin on Tuesday.

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The sudden decision of the Congress government to induct Azharuddin into the cabinet had drawn sharp criticism from different sections. Many criticised that his induction into the cabinet was appeasement politics to win the confidence of the Muslim community in the Jubilee Hills by-election.