Congress leader and former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in the Telangana Cabinet on Friday. Governor Jishnu Dev Verma administered the oath at Raj Bhavan in the presence of the Chief Minister and senior leaders.
With Azharuddin’s inclusion, the Cabinet strength has risen to 16, leaving two posts vacant as the state can have up to 18 ministers.
His induction is seen as a strategic move by the Congress ahead of the Jubilee Hills bypoll, where Muslim voters are expected to play a key role. The bypoll was called after BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath passed away in June.
Azharuddin, a former MP from Moradabad, was nominated to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota in August and is awaiting formal approval from the Governor. He had earlier contested unsuccessfully from Jubilee Hills in the 2023 Assembly elections.