Rumours have been swirling that former Indian cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin may be inducted into the Telangana Cabinet by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The move is said to target Muslim voters in the Jubilee Hills constituency, which heads for a by-election early next month.
Fresh reports now claim that Revanth Reddy plans to remove four ministers two OCs and two BCs after the local elections. Media speculation says the decision comes due to poor performance and corruption allegations involving their family members.
Political observers are questioning the timing of these rumours. Such leaks are unlikely to come from the Congress, especially in the middle of an election season. Many believe the Opposition, possibly the BRS, could have planted them to stir trouble within the ruling party.
The Telangana BJP has meanwhile approached the Election Commission, alleging that inducting Mohammed Azharuddin into the Cabinet is an attempt to appease Muslim voters. The Commission may step in, depending on the rules.
Some political analysts suggest that Revanth Reddy’s team might have floated this news deliberately to draw minority support even if the Election Commission blocks the move. At present, there is no Muslim representation in the Chief Minister’s Cabinet.
The Jubilee Hills by-election is scheduled for November 11. Maganti Sunitha, wife of the late Maganti Gopinath, is contesting for BRS, while Naveen Yadav is the Congress candidate. BRS is banking on sympathy votes after Gopinath’s death, while Congress hopes its position in power will secure the seat. The result will be declared on November 14.
