Congress seniors left out of loop on Azharuddin’s Cabinet entry

The induction of Mohammed Azharuddin into the Telangana cabinet has triggered internal dissent within the Congress, with TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud admitting he was unaware of the move. Senior leaders have voiced concerns over lack of consultation and timing.

Hyderabad: The sudden decision to induct former Indian cricket team captain Mohammed Azharuddin into the State cabinet apparently caught many, including TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud and several senior Congress leaders, by surprise.

Speaking to a few media persons on Wednesday, the TPCC president admitted that he had no prior information about Azharuddin’s induction. His statement, party sources said, underscored the lack of consultation and the growing discontent among senior leaders over what they see as unilateral decisions by certain individuals within the party.

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Several leaders are reportedly unhappy about being sidelined in key decisions and have expressed unease over the timing of Azharuddin’s inclusion, which they believe signals the party’s attempt to woo a particular community ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election.

However, brushing aside Wednesday’s surprise, Goud on Thursday accused both the BRS and BJP of opposing Azharuddin’s induction. “This exposes the nexus between the two parties,” he alleged during a press conference in Nizamabad.

He further claimed that the BJP’s central leadership is exerting pressure on Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. The cabinet had already nominated Azharuddin and TJS president Prof. Kodandaram Reddy as MLCs, and their approval is pending with the Governor, he said.

On the two remaining vacant berths, Goud said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy would take a decision in December. Dismissing reports that he is aspiring for the Deputy Chief Minister post, he remarked, “I am happy with the TPCC president post. It is a much bigger post than others.”