Suspense Over Azharuddin Continuing As Minister

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. On October 31, 2025, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inducted the former Indian cricket captain into the State Cabinet, primarily to provide representation to the Muslims in the government and reportedly 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 (Azharuddin is not) must become one within six months of appointment. For Azharuddin, this deadline falls in April 2026.

The Congress government had 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 BRS in the Supreme Court, which later struck them down and directed that no fresh appointments be made until a final verdict is delivered.

Subsequently, on August 30, the Cabinet forwarded a proposal to the Governor nominating Professor Kodandaram and Azharuddin as MLCs. But due to the Supreme Court's interim directions, 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 manoeuvre. Even if the resignation of MLC Kavitha is accepted, her seat - being a local body constituency from Nizamabad - cannot be filled until local body MLC seat elections are held.

Legal experts say that 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 be forced to resign. There is also speculation in political circles that he could be made to step down temporarily and be re-inducted during a proposed Cabinet reshuffle, thereby buying another six months, in the hope that either the court verdict is delivered 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.