Former Indian cricketer Azharuddin becomes state minister

NEW DELHI: India’s internationally renowned former cricketer and ex-captain Mohammad Azharuddin has made a remarkable start to his new innings in politics by joining the Telangana state cabinet as a minister.

Associated with the Congress Party, Azharuddin is also a member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly.

Party leadership, recognising his performance and public popularity, has entrusted him with a key portfolio in the cabinet. Taking his oath “in the name of Allah,” Azharuddin concluded the ceremony with slogans of “Jai Telangana” and “Jai Hind.”

According to sources, he is likely to be given the Minority Affairs or Minority Welfare portfolio. Azharuddin has become the first Muslim minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

His son, Asaduddin Azhar, who was recently appointed General Secretary of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, was also present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted sharply to Azharuddin’s appointment, calling it a move driven by vote-bank politics.

Telangana BJP President Ram Chandra Rao said the decision was aimed at attracting Muslim voters from Jubilee Hills, where a by-election is due soon. The BJP has also filed a formal complaint with the Chief Election Officer over the matter.

However, Azharuddin dismissed all allegations, saying his appointment has nothing to do with any by-election.

“I have always served the country with honesty,” he said. “I don’t need to prove my patriotism to anyone.”

Political analysts have termed Azharuddin’s induction into the cabinet a strategic move by the Congress Party, marking an impressive start to his latest political innings.