Former Team India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been made a minister in the Telangana government. BJP has raised questions regarding the timing of this step taken by Congress. BJP said that this may affect the by-election to be held on November 11.
Mohammad Azaharuddin Sworn in Telangana Cabinet: Former Indian cricket captain and senior Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin has taken oath as a minister in the Telangana cabinet. Governor Jishnu Dev Verma administered the oath to the former cricketer at Raj Bhavan this morning. With his joining, a post which was vacant for a long time has now been filled. With this, the Congress government has also got the first Muslim representation in the cabinet.
BJP raised questions on Azhar being made minister
Objecting to the timing of Azharuddin being made a minister, the BJP had written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct. BJP spokespersons argued that making a minister a person who had recently sought a ticket from the same seat was an abuse of official power to influence voters. Let us tell you that in Telangana, BJP has termed this decision of Congress as a step to influence the by-elections to be held on November 11. In the area Azhar represents, the population of Muslim voters is about 30%.
Congress justified its action
At the same time, the ruling Congress has justified this step as fulfillment of its commitment towards social justice. According to Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Goud, “The Congress party had made a commitment to ensure cabinet representation for minorities. Earlier Andhra Pradesh governments too always included a minority face. We are simply correcting a long-standing imbalance.”