Uncertainty over Azharuddin’s future in cabinet as MLC deadline nears

Uncertainty surrounds Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin’s continuation in the State Cabinet as he must secure Legislative Council membership by April 30. With limited vacancies and legal hurdles, Congress is exploring possible nomination options amid the approaching municipal elections

Hyderabad: With the municipal elections fast approaching, uncertainty looms over the continuation of Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin in the State Cabinet.

The former Indian cricket captain took oath as the Minorities Welfare Minister on October 31 last year. As per constitutional provisions, he must secure membership of the Legislative Council within six months, a deadline that expires on April 30 this year.

---

At present, there is one vacancy in the Local Authorities category and two vacancies in the nominated category in the Legislative Council. The resignation of K Kavitha as an MLC created a vacancy under the Local Authorities category.

Earlier, the Congress government had nominated Professor M Kodandaram and Siasat Editor Amer Ali Khan under the Governor’s quota. However, the BRS approached the Supreme Court challenging these nominations, following which the appointments were annulled on procedural grounds.

In September last year, the Congress government again nominated Professor Kodandaram and Azharuddin under the Governor’s quota. No decision has been taken on these nominations so far.

Azharuddin’s nomination was widely viewed as a political move to gain the confidence of the Muslim community ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election. Although the Congress won the by-election and Azharuddin was inducted into the Cabinet, uncertainty persists over his continuation as a minister.

Assuming the municipal elections are held in February, elections to the Local Authorities category would have to be conducted for him to get elected as an MLC. Given the limited time available, this option is considered unviable.

Congress leaders, however, remain confident that the former cricketer could be nominated under the sports category in the event of any adverse development. But since Azharuddin had contested the Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket, questions are being raised over the feasibility of his nomination under the sports quota.

Meanwhile, the term of MLCs B Dayanand, Goreti Venkanna and Baswaraju Saraiah will end in November this year. However, in view of the April 30 deadline, this option too is not considered viable for Azharuddin.