Md. Azharuddin, former cricketer and Congress leader, was sworn in as a Minister in the Telangana Cabinet on Friday (October 31, 2025). Government Jishnu Dev Varma administered the oath of office and secrecy, at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad. Speculations have been rife about the portfolio that he would be allocated. He is the 16th Minister of the State.The Cabinet in August cleared the name of Mr. Azharuddin, along with Kodandaram, for nomination to the Legislative Council under Governor’s quota. After news broke about his proposed induction into the Cabinet, Opposition parties raised objections. Bharatiya Janata Party’s State unit leaders said it violates the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which is in force for the Jubilee Hills Assembly byelections and that his induction by Congress Government is to appease minority votes. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao said that it was a last resort to win over minorities — who form a major chunk of voters in the constituency. Published - October 31, 2025 12:45 pm IST