Hyderabad, Jan.1 (RAHNUMA): Uncertainty continues over the political future of Minority Welfare and Public Enterprises Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, who must secure membership in either House of the State Legislature by April 30, 2026, failing which he will be forced to step down from the Cabinet.
Azharuddin’s induction into the Cabinet was itself unusual. In a strategic move on October 31, 2025, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inducted the former Indian cricket captain into the State Cabinet. This was primarily done to provide minority representation in the government and to influence the Jubilee Hills by-election.
However, under Article 164(4) of the Constitution, a Minister who is not a member of the State Legislature must become one within six months of their appointment. For Azharuddin, this deadline is approaching in April 2026.
During the Jubilee Hill by-election, Azharuddin was hastily inducted into the Cabinet without being elected to either House.
In fact, the Congress government planned to accommodate Azharuddin as an MLC under the Governor’s quota. However, the issue has been mired in legal complications. After coming to power, the government nominated Professor Kodandaram and senior journalist Amer Ali Khan as Governor’s quota MLCs. These appointments were challenged by the opposition BRS in the Supreme Court, which later struck them down and directed that no fresh appointments be made until the final verdict.
Subsequently, on August 30, the Cabinet forwarded a proposal to the Governor nominating Professor Kodandaram and Azharuddin as MLCs. But in view of the Supreme Court’s interim direction, neither could be sworn in.
With no current vacancies in the Legislative Council, and the next three MLC seats falling vacant only in November 2026, Azharuddin has little room for maneuver. Even if the resignation of MLC Kavitha is accepted, her seat – being a local bodies constituency from Nizamabad – cannot be filled until local body elections are held.
Legal experts say the Supreme Court’s final judgment remains the only viable route for Azharuddin to continue as Minister. Congress leaders are reportedly exploring the possibility of seeking early clarification or relief from the Apex court to end the uncertainty.
If no solution emerges before April 30, Azharuddin may have to resign. There is also speculation within political circles that he could be made to step down temporarily and re-inducted during a proposed Cabinet reshuffle, thereby buying another six months – hoping that either the court verdict arrives or an MLC vacancy opens up.
A similar situation in the past forced Nandamuri Harikrishna, son of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, to resign from the Cabinet, after which his legislative career never recovered. Many now see echoes of that episode in Azharuddin’s predicament.
For now, both Azharuddin and the Congress leadership face a high-stakes legal and political test, with time fast running out.
