The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the inclusion of former cricketer and MLC Mohd. Azharuddin in the State Cabinet violates the election model code of conduct, which is currently in force for the Jubilee Hills bypoll, scheduled for November 11.Senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Telangana party president N. Ramchander Rao, told the media in separate briefings that the ruling Congress party has stooped low by inducting Mr. Azharuddin merely to appease minority voters. “For the past 22 months, there hasn’t been a single minister from the minority community, and just before the elections, they suddenly remember it,” Mr. Reddy said.He further accused the Congress and BRS parties of practicing “fake secularism” and appeasement politics, claiming they are acting as a protective shield for the Majlis party. “Why isn’t the Majlis party contesting the by-election? Under whose pressure, or for whose suitcases, did they rent out their candidate to the Congress?” he asked, alleging that Majlis leaders are threatening opponents and pressuring the government to file false cases.In addition, Mr. Kishan Reddy criticised the government for failing to take a decisive action against organised networks involved in the illegal slaughter and transport of cattle across State borders and demanded stricter enforcement of existing laws, and adherence to national guidelines on cattle protection.Meanwhile, BJP MLA Payal Shankar and former Minister Marri Shashidhar Reddy met State Election Commissioner Sudardhan Reddy to formally complain about Mr. Azharuddin’s induction, alleging it violates the model code of conduct.Intimidation?Separately, Mr. Ramchander Rao accused the Congress government of intimidating private college managements by directing the Vigilance Department to investigate alleged misuse of fee reimbursement funds. He described it as a tactic to further delay the payment of arrears amounting to thousands of crores. He demanded the immediate release of ₹12,000 crore in pending dues and reiterated the party’s support for the State-wide bandh called by private college managements to press for their legitimate demands.Published - October 30, 2025 07:59 pm IST